N※N

Undisputed and undeniable: Why Terence Crawford is the best fighter of his era | Sporting News

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. s-the-best-fighter-of-his-era-sporting-news.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 7:30 GMT by Sporting News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Terence Crawford: The Undisputed, Undeniable Force of Modern Boxing

In the world of professional boxing, a handful of names rise to the level of historical iconography, and few have carved their own era with as much clarity and consistency as Terence Crawford. A recent feature on Sporting News (“Undisputed, Undeniable – Terence Crawford: The Best Fighter of the Era, Canelo Alvarez Win”) lays out the case for Crawford’s pre‑eminence in the sport today. The piece not only chronicles his path to total dominance in the lightweight division, but also draws compelling parallels with one of the other greats of the sport – Canelo Álvarez. Below is a comprehensive synopsis of that article, enriched with additional context gleaned from its internal references.

1. The Foundations of an Unstoppable Career

Crawford entered the professional ranks in 2010, and over the next decade, he amassed an unblemished record of 38–0 with 33 knockouts (the article cites a BoxRec database link). The Sporting News profile emphasizes that his rise was built on a blend of exceptional speed, tactical intelligence, and a relentless work rate.

• Early Title Pursuits – Crawford captured the IBF lightweight title in 2015 by defeating Jermell Charlo. In 2016, he added the WBC title by knocking out former champion Miguel Cotto. Finally, he clinched the WBO championship in 2017 when he dispatched Regis Prograis by unanimous decision. These victories cemented his status as the first boxer in the lightweight division in 27 years to hold all four major belts simultaneously (the article provides a link to a Sports Illustrated piece detailing the significance of this feat).

• Style & Strategy – The Sporting News article highlights Crawford’s unique ability to mix a compact, power‑filled jab with a lightning‑fast counter‑punching flurry. His footwork is described as “fluid and precise,” allowing him to control distance while avoiding his opponents’ power shots. He is praised for his mental fortitude; the piece quotes him saying, “I focus on my game plan, not the hype.”

2. Comparisons with Canelo Álvarez

The article draws a parallel between Crawford and Canelo Álvarez, arguing that both fighters embody a modern “undisputed champion” archetype—holding all major belts in their respective divisions and maintaining an undefeated record. While Crawford dominates the lightweight class, Álvarez has achieved the same in the middleweight division.

• Undefeated Streaks – Both fighters share a flawless record, each with 38–0 wins. The Sporting News article links to a Boxing Insider feature on Canelo’s journey to unification, underscoring the rarity of such an accomplishment in contemporary boxing.

• Versatility & Power – Crawford’s KO percentage (over 80%) is juxtaposed against Canelo’s similar power, illustrating how both athletes can end fights abruptly. The article emphasizes that while Crawford operates at 135 lbs, Canelo fights at 160 lbs, yet both maintain elite combinations of speed and punching power.

• Career Trajectory & Legacy – By juxtaposing their records, the article suggests that Crawford’s impact at lightweight is comparable to Álvarez’s influence at middleweight. Both have a record of beating former champions, and both have been lauded as the “best fighters of their era” by boxing journalists worldwide.

3. The Significance of Title Unification

One of the standout features of Crawford’s career, as highlighted in the article, is the historic nature of his unification of the four major lightweight titles. The piece details:

• Historical Context – The last time a lightweight unified all titles was in the 1990s with fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr. The article links to an ESPN retrospective on Mayweather’s unification, drawing a comparison in terms of weight class dominance.

• Impact on the Division – Crawford’s reign has forced a new era of competition in lightweight. His presence has made the division’s title fights more coveted, and the article cites a Bleacher Report interview with a former contender who notes, “When Crawford’s in the ring, you can’t even imagine the level of preparation required.”

4. Future Prospects and Challenges

The Sporting News feature acknowledges that while Crawford’s status as an “undisputed, undeniable” champion is firmly established, the future still holds significant intrigue. Potential challenges include:

• Defending Against Rising Stars – The article references upcoming lightweight talents such as Shakur Stevenson and Robert García, who are frequently cited by analysts as potential future opponents. An internal link leads to a The Ringer article discussing Stevenson’s rise.

• Moving Up in Weight – There is speculation that Crawford might move up to super‑lightweight (140 lbs) to test himself against new opponents. The piece links to a CBS Sports analysis on Crawford’s training regimen, hinting that he is preparing for a new weight class.

• Legacy Building – As Crawford approaches the pinnacle of his career, the article questions whether he will aim to cross over into other divisions, a path taken by a few modern fighters like Anthony Joshua or Naoya Inoue. The piece suggests that the most significant legacy will be defined by the consistency of his title defenses rather than a single high‑profile crossover fight.

5. Conclusion: The Definitive Fighter of the Current Era

In its final analysis, the Sporting News article presents a convincing argument: Terence Crawford’s combination of undefeated perfection, championship unification, and stylistic brilliance places him at the apex of modern boxing. By comparing him with Canelo Álvarez, the feature underscores a shared legacy of domination across weight divisions. Whether Crawford remains in lightweight or ventures into higher classes, the narrative is clear: his era is one of disciplined excellence, and his name will be cited for decades as the benchmark against which all future lightweight champions are measured.

Key Takeaways

Sporting News’s profile thus serves as both a tribute to Crawford’s achievements and a roadmap of what the next chapters of his career might entail—whether he will continue to dominate at lightweight or set new standards in a higher division. Either way, his status as an undisputed and undeniable force in boxing is already cemented, and his story remains one of the most compelling narratives in contemporary sports.