Terence Crawford’s victory over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez continues to echo beyond the ring, with one remark in particular fueling heated debate. In the aftermath of his defeat, Alvarez declared, “I think Crawford is way better than Floyd Mayweather,” a bold statement given that he remains the only fighter to have shared the ring with both men.
The comment has sparked comparisons between Crawford and Mayweather, who also beat Canelo in 2013. While Crawford’s skill and audacity in moving up to claim a third undisputed crown are undeniable, some suggest Alvarez’s words may carry more emotion than objectivity.
“It’s probably too close to the fight [to read into Canelo’s comment],” trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards said. “Fighters are emotional, and sometimes they say self-serving things. Maybe Canelo’s trying to get Floyd back for saying certain things about him. You never know.” Edwards noted that fighters often elevate or downplay past opponents for reasons beyond pure boxing merit.
Ironically, Alvarez himself had previously questioned Crawford’s résumé, asking critics to name “one elite fighter” he had beaten. Crawford countered with names like Viktor Postol and Ricky Burns, though he could just as easily have cited Errol Spence Jr or Shawn Porter, both of whom he stopped in dominant fashion.
Ultimately, the debate underscores the subjective nature of legacy in boxing. While Crawford’s brilliance against Canelo has many re-evaluating his place in history, Edwards cautions against overanalyzing post-fight emotions. “You can’t challenge their opinion because it’s opinion, it’s subjective,” he said. “If anybody has the most credibility, it would be him [Crawford].”
Image Credit: The Ring