Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Terence Crawford Declares Himself the Best Fighter of His Generation After Canelo Victory

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 10:09 PM ET

Terence Crawford has long carried himself with an aura of supreme confidence, but after defeating Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision, his status has reached an entirely new level. Appearing on The Jim Rome Show, Crawford made it clear that he now views himself as the definitive fighter of this era.

“Of course there is no doubt that I am the best fighter of this generation,” Crawford said. “Yes definitely. No stipulations, no rehydration clause, no handicaps in any way. That was a big moment. It was my night. I was ready for the moment.”

A Career-Defining Night

Crawford, who entered the bout as a four-division world champion, moved up to 168 pounds to challenge Alvarez and left with a unanimous decision win that shook the boxing world. The triumph made him a five-division champion and three-weight undisputed titleholder, further cementing his historic legacy.

“Skills pay the bills, and I believe in my skills and abilities,” Crawford said. “I knew I was capable of beating Canelo, and that’s the reason I wanted the fight. I showed the world who Terence Crawford was.”

It was all about respect

Terence Crawford sets the record straight on why he made sure Canelo got his belts back after the fight.

Andre Ward’s full interview with Bud Crawford is available on our YouTube. pic.twitter.com/k42WuyaLJn

— All the Smoke Fight (@ats_fight) October 1, 2025

Preparation at a New Weight

Much of Crawford’s confidence stemmed from months of preparation. He began shaping his body into super middleweight form back in February, ensuring the transition to 168 pounds was not only manageable but advantageous.

“I felt real comfortable at 168 pounds,” Crawford explained. “I’ve sparred a lot of big guys in my lifetime. I knew the size wasn’t going to be too much of a factor. Of course, I’ve never been in the ring with a guy that size before. But at the same time I believed in myself and my abilities, that I was going to be alright, and I was.”

Staying in Control

Despite dominating much of the fight, Crawford revealed that he wrestled internally with whether to apply more pressure and seek a stoppage against Alvarez.

“A lot of times,” Crawford admitted. “But my coach reminded me every round that ‘you get close to him when you want, not when he wants to keep boxing. You don’t have to get into a slugfest.’”

What Comes Next?

With the victory, Crawford not only elevated his legacy but also reignited the debate over his standing among the all-time greats. His conviction, adaptability, and skillset at super middleweight hint that this might only be the beginning of a new era for “Bud.”

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: