Where does Crawford Rank Historically as a Welterweight?

[them_apples]

It's hard to evaluate a guy like Crawford because boxing is so fxcked up today.

I think that's why this win is simultaneously so satisfying & depressing at the same time.

Crawford should've BEEN able to have big fights, but was blackballed and slandered, so this is his first really big fight, at the age of almost 36.

So, his win of Spence is monumental by today's standards, in the past, a guy like Crawford would've had the chance to face everybody while everybody was still in their primes and it'd be easier to figure out where he actually stands.

Not only that. Spence didn’t just lose but it looked like he didn’t even belong in there with Crawford. He didn’t have the proper skills and training. Yet he got so far? Why did they try and suffocate bud? Cause this was also a great display of how far boxing has slid. Crawford is a great fighter but well never know how great. If judged in his own time though, he did a great job.

[kara]

Not only that. Spence didnât just lose but it looked like he didnât even belong in there with Crawford. He didnât have the proper skills and training. Yet he got so far? Why did they try and suffocate bud? Cause this was also a great display of how far boxing has slid. Crawford is a great fighter but well never know how great. If judged in his own time though, he did a great job.

After the first round, it was one-way action all the way.

[Slugfester]

I wait until they are retired before trying to evaluate them.

If Bud gets KO'd in his next two fights, is he still an ATG? Some desperate pollyannas practically have him installed as the GOAT already. No doubt he is an exceptional fighter. But when a boxer's flaws seem invisible as if he doesn't have any, it is because he is not facing ATG's yet. ATG's find a way to hit you back. If you just beat up pedestrian fighters your whole career, you get the legacy associated with it, even when it is not your fault.

Whether he was frozen out or got what he preferred, it has the same impact on his legacy, fair or not, and it isn't. I do not know which opponents (if any) can elevate him to the position some people are already putting him in, at this late date in his career. If he could knock off a Charlo, that would help. But one Charlo is busy being a crybaby and the brave one is fighting Caneler next. Crawford will have to put on some more weight and put it on quick, in the search for a sustaining legacy. He made a great start. Now put some siding up.

[IronDanHamza]

Yeah but after Toney, Jones didn't fight any top opponents, even avoiding the Darius fight.

Wrong, as per usual.

[CodeBreaker]

He's #1.. 2-division Undisputed!

[Dr. Z]

Well, if dominance matters in judging fighters, as has been mentioned here, what can we now say about Terence Crawford as an all time welterweight?

I know he is still fighting, but save for Ennis there ain't much to add to his WW resume that is currently out there. And though he has far more fights at LW & JWW, he already has more fights at welter than Duran and more title fights at welter than Hearns; point being there should be enough of a sample size to evaluate.

So, where does he rank in your opinion as an all time welterweight?

This is tricky because he is the best in the world today @ welter. He has beaten both Spence and Porter both of whom top 5 opponents now. But they are also a bit over rated an all time top 50-150 welterweight sense. Crawford's career since 2008 has been thin of quality opponents. How many ranked ring magazine opponents has he faced when they were ranked? That is my gold standard. I would like to know. I would like to see him move up the jr middle or middle ... if he dares to do so.

BUT he is undefeated at 40-0. But he is also no Mayweather. No doubt he is very skilled. Best guess is he rates around 15th to 25th on the top all time welter weight list, which is loaded with quality fighters!

[kara]

I wonder if Crawford hangs around to face Ennis or Ortiz, but it seems at his age he intends to move up and leave in a few fights

[QueensburyRules]

I wonder if Crawford hangs around to face Ennis or Ortiz, but it seems at his age he intends to move up and leave in a few fights

- - Ortiz needs to take a mop up bout at 154 in Dallas, maybe even a Spence exhibition and retire before he kills himself. He is medically on the edge of death just training for boxing while making weight.

Spence also may not be on the edge of death, but clearly no longer Spence the fearsome after his near fatal auto crash.

[kara]

- - Ortiz needs to take a mop up bout at 154 in Dallas, maybe even a Spence exhibition and retire before he kills himself. He is medically on the edge of death just training for boxing while making weight.

Spence also may not be on the edge of death, but clearly no longer Spence the fearsome after his near fatal auto crash.

Crawford is heading to 154, too

[QueensburyRules]

Crawford is heading to 154, too

- - Only for another easy payday vs Spence.

$55mil PPVs most he’s ever done, but not without Spence.