Terence Crawford plans to prove that he’s the best in the world
Terence Crawford believes that he, not Canelo Alvarez is the best in the business. And he aims to prove it in spite of obstacles.
Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs) is scheduled to defend his welterweight title against Shawn Porter on Nov. 20 in Las Vegas, his first fight since he stopped Kell Brook in four rounds almost exactly a year ago.
Alvarez won all four super middleweight titles in three fights during that time.
“He is definitely doing things differently to me because he is able and capable of doing those things,” Crawford told Sky Sports. “He has fought four times in the past year. He has become undisputed.
“He is getting all of the fights that he wants right now. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to.”
Crawford, a former 140-pound champ, won his 147-pound title by stopping Jeff Horn in nine rounds in 2018 and has successfully defended against Jose Benavidez Jr., Amir Khan, Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Brook.
None of those victories was a defining fight for Crawford, who hasn’t been enable to lure the best welterweights into the ring in part because of managerial/promotional affiliations.
Signing to fight Porter (31-3-1, 17 KOs), a former two-time titleholder, was a breakthrough.
“It has been frustrating,” said Crawford, who is No. 1 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list. Alvarez is No. 2. “But what’s meant for me, I will have. Everything happens for a reason, and I believe that my time is coming.”
Crawford’s goal?
“To be the best fighter in the world. Simple,” he said. “I feel like I’m already there, but I have to prove it to the world and it starts with Porter.”
