Comparisons in boxing are never lacking, but few are as controversial as the one between Terence Bud Crawford and Floyd Mayweather. The debate was reignited after Crawford’s stunning victory over Canelo Alvarez at the Allegiant Stadium, a fight that made him the first male boxer in the four-belt era to be undisputed in three divisions.
What seemed like a night of consecration turned into a worldwide topic when Canelo, at the press conference, surprised with a blunt phrase: “I think Crawford is much better than Mayweather”. That comment sparked a firestorm in the boxing world, and Crawford’s trainer, Brian Bomac McIntyre, did not hesitate to stoke the discussion.
Crawford’s trainer backs Mayweather comparison
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, McIntyre appeared wearing a hat with the word GOAT and made it clear that he considers Crawford to be the greatest of all time. According to the trainer, Bud’s success is not only his own, but that of a whole team that has led him to dominate three divisions like no one else today.
When asked directly about Canelo’s statement, his response was blunt: “Who, Terence? Of course he is. Of course he’s better”. For Bomac, the discussion has no nuances: Crawford has already surpassed what Mayweather represented in the ring.
Crawford’s stance: respect and diplomacy
Although the debate rages on, Crawford remains more serene. After defeating Alvarez on the scorecards (115-113, 115-113 and 116-112), he avoided the historical confrontation: “Floyd was the greatest of his era. I’m the greatest of mine. We don’t need to compare ourselves”.
His message reflects respect for Mayweather, but does not prevent fans and experts from fueling the controversy. After all, Mayweather defeated a young Canelo in 2013, while Crawford beat a much more experienced version of the Mexican, which gives weight to this new narrative.
Stephen A. Smith makes the difference between Crawford and Mayweather
The voice of sports analyst Stephen A. Smith added a key nuance to the debate. For him, Crawford’s greatness lies in the fact that he not only technically outboxed Canelo, but also traded blows, withstood pressure and came out stronger.
However, Smith drew a clear line with Mayweather: “Floyd was a defensive wizard. You could barely hit him”. According to the analyst, that is the crucial difference: while Crawford showed toughness and responsiveness, Mayweather built his legacy on an almost impenetrable defense.
Two different eras or an eternal rivalry?
Boxing seems to be divided: some believe that Crawford has already surpassed Mayweather, while others argue that Floyd’s defensive perfection is unparalleled. What is certain is that both marked a different era and elevated the sport with unique styles.
The debate Crawford vs. Mayweather is just beginning, and after Canelo’s confession and Bomac’s words, the conversation promises to continue to make headlines. What is undeniable is that Bud has already earned his place among boxing’s great immortals.
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