Despite being an elite professional boxer and one of the greats of his generation, Terence Crawford has sided with the UFC over boxing in certain aspects of the sport.
At almost 37, ‘Bud’ Crawford is still chasing his biggest career fight. The Nebraska native has his sights firmly set on a fight against Canelo Alvarez and believes he will remain undefeated if the two ever compete.
While he is a boxing phenom, Terence Crawford believes his sport can learn a thing or two from mixed martial arts. Giving UFC their flowers, Crawford listed several aspects of the company that he loves.
“UFC do have a good way of putting on the best fights at the right time,” Crawford said. “[But it’s] not only that.”
“One thing I love about the UFC is that a guy can lose and still be supported. Nowadays in boxing, Floyd [Mayweather] made it to where you lose and they’re kicking you to the curb and [saying] you’re a bum, you’re this, you’re that.”
“It’s like, [the] dude lost to a good fighter. You know what I mean?”
Crawford believes Floyd Mayweather’s dominance in the ring has hurt the next generation of competitors’ approach to their careers.
“[Mayweather] left with an unblemished record, and he set the bar high. So, now everybody is trying to protect the 0 because [when] you get one loss, now you got to go way to the back of the bus.”
“Now it’s like dang. Your shine is off now because of the fans and the media [and] how they go around.”
Related: Canelo Alvarez faces questions over four-fight deal amid Terence Crawford rumors
The UFC prides itself on matching the very best fighters in the world against each other.
Since Dana White and the Fertitta brothers’ acquisition of the UFC back in 2001, there has rarely been a moment where two of the best athletes on the roster haven’t shared the octagon.
Though it may be unlikely, Terence Crawford could one day make the walk to the cage after admitting that he is a huge fan of MMA. The legend has a background in wrestling and has teased the thought of competing under the UFC banner, with Conor McGregor as an opponent being considered.
