Terence Crawford picked up ESPN’s ‘Best Fighter’ in 2018, and he’s been unstoppable ever since.
‘Bud’ is considered one of the current generation’s best pound-for-pound fighters, and has yet to be defeated in his incredible career so far.
During his stint in the professional ranks, Crawford has won a whole host of awards and personal accolades but none came bigger than in his hugely successful 2018.
Crawford made a move to 147lbs, where he would begin the year by taking on Australian challenger Horn.
Horn had shot to stardom the year before, having beaten boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in a monumental upset in 2017, so had real credentials going into the showdown.
The American had no time for a fairytale however and dominated the fight from the opening bell, cutting his rival’s eye in the fourth.
Crawford piled on the pressure in round eight, though Horn managed to survive and cling on in desperation.
Horn was finally sent crashing to the canvas in the ninth after absorbing too many punishing shots, having gone down and recovered before being stopped on his feet.
It was a huge statement for Crawford whose seamless transition to welterweight had been successfully completed.
A two-fight year unfolded for the talented star, who went on to defeat Jose Benavidez in a hostile defence of his title in October that year.
Crawford halted the contest in the final round after another powerful assault, and it saw fans call for him to pick up the prestigious ESPN accolade.
He did eventually pick up the award, beating boxing star Vasyl Lomachenko, and UFC greats Rose Namajunas and Georges St Pierre to the trophy.
Since then, the American simply hasn’t looked back and has won every single fight by stoppage since his switch to the division.
Crawford ousted British contender Amir Khan and feared ‘Mean Machine’ Egidijus Kavaliauskas in a successful 2019.
The coronavirus pandemic halted his momentum but he managed to fight once against Kell Brook, who he beat comfortably.
Wins over Shawn Porter and David Avanesyan cemented his dominance, and saw him finally set up an undisputed battle with rival Errol Spence Jr.
There had been so much debate over the pair’s meeting, but Crawford had only one thing on his mind.
He came flying out of the traps and showed he was simply levels above on the night, dropping his rival three times.
It was a punishing display and despite Spence’s resilience, he was left battered, bruised and helpless.
The referee decided to halt the contest in the ninth after seeing enough, and Crawford became undisputed champion in a second weight category.
It is an era of unprecedented dominance for ‘Bud’ who is on track and matching the incredible undefeated KO streak of Floyd Mayweather.
After another commanding display, it was revealed last night that Crawford had won the 2024 ESPY for best boxer.
He celebrated the recognition on social media, and was clearly delighted to have won it over the likes of Oleksandr Usyk and Canelo Alvarez.
Things could get bigger and better for the American now, who will return at 154lbs when he takes on Israil Madrimov on August 3.
It is a huge opportunity for the pound-for-pound star, who can become a four-weight world champion.
Crawford is 36 years old but has the world at his feet, and could set up a huge showdown with Alvarez if he wins.
It would be a mega-fight in terms of revenue and commercial interest and the biggest of Crawford’s career to date.
And his trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre believes it will be a fitting end to a stellar career if he was to capture the 168lbs titles from Alvarez in his final bow.
He told Fight Hub: “Bud has got it in him [to defeat Canelo]. I can see him doing it.
“Is it a challenge for him? Of course. Is it a challenge for the whole team?
“Of course, but that’s what we’re in the business for, being great.
“I know that Bud has the tools to beat him. If Bud beats Canelo, we may damn near retire, if you beat the pound-for-pound king. But my mind is on Madrimov.”
Crawford has also said he’s open to the possibility of a rematch with Spence in future.
The possibility is there,” Crawford told Forbes. “He’s [Spence] fighting [Sebastian] Fundora for his titles [WBO and WBC].
“I’m fighting for a title [Israil Madrimov’s WBA 154lbs title], and there is the possibility.
“He wins his fight, God willing, and I win my fight, God willing, and there’s the possibility.”
