After five often-frustrating years, Terence Crawford could finally say he told you so.

Crawford wasn’t about to waste that opportunity in the immediate aftermath of his career-defining performance Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena. The 35-year-old Crawford surprised plenty of persistent skeptics by beating Errol Spence Jr. with such ease in their welterweight title unification fight, but the newly crowned undisputed 147-pound champion reminded those that didn’t believe in him that he always promised them that he would eventually emerge as the best fighter in one of the sport’s glamour divisions.

Omaha’s Crawford also implored them to give him the respect he believes he deserved even before he dropped Spence three times and stopped him in the ninth round of their Showtime Pay-Per-View main event.

“Well, I been telling each and every one of y’all for years,” Crawford proudly stated. “A lotta y’all over here looking sad. … You know what I mean? But all in all, you know, I get to say I told y’all because I been asking for these fights for years. And y’all been saying, ‘Oh, he’s too small. He’s gonna get this. He’s gonna get broken.’

“And each and every time that I step up, I proved y’all wrong each time. So, you know what I mean? Write some great stories about Terence Crawford. Don’t hate on him. Don’t say nothing negative. Just gimme my props.”

Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) became boxing’s first fully unified welterweight champion of the four-belt era by battering Spence (28-1, 22 KOs), who held the IBF welterweight title for six years. He is also the first male champion to secure undisputed status in two weight classes since the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO belts were all recognized as legitimate championships.

Crawford has defeated each of his eight welterweight opponents by knockout or technical knockout since the former undisputed junior welterweight champion moved up seven pounds five years ago. Though Crawford’s fight with former IBF and WBC champ Shawn Porter was more competitive, Spence, who beat Porter by split decision in September 2019, is considered the best opponent Crawford has beaten since he turned pro 15 years ago.

Crawford nevertheless knew almost instantly Saturday night that Spence wouldn’t be able to deal with his speed and strength advantages that led to a knockdown in the second round and two more knockdowns during the seventh round. None of Spence’s previous 28 opponents put him down, which was among numerous things that made Crawford’s performance so impressive.

“Well, the first round I felt as if I had the speed and the power,” Crawford said. “I felt, you know, his power and I felt as if I was the stronger fighter. And, yeah, that pretty much was it.”

The sharper, more versatile Crawford will be a considerable favorite in their immediate rematch, which will probably be contested at the junior middleweight limit of 154 pounds. Spence stated that he will exercise his contractual right to a second fight with Crawford, but as the winner, Crawford will choose the weight at which their rematch will be contested.

Crawford assured anyone doubtful of his ability to get motivated for their rematch because he dominated Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) on Saturday night that it won’t be an issue.

“Well, one thing about me,” Crawford said, “I don’t take no fighter lightly, so I’m always up for each and every one of the fighters that I’m facing. And y’all know that from the past of my performances and how I come in the ring 110 percent prepared every time I step foot in the ring.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.