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Floyd Mayweather Tops Terence Crawford’s List of Boxing Inspirations

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Floyd Mayweather and Terence Crawford

Undisputed champion Terence Crawford names Mayweather and Roy Jones Jr. as his all-time favorites.

Terence Crawford, widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, recently opened up about the fighters who inspired him – and at the top of that list are Floyd Mayweather and Roy Jones Jr.

Crawford has claimed world titles in four different weight classes and became undisputed champion in two divisions – an achievement few in boxing history can match. Now, he’s preparing for a blockbuster showdown against Canelo Álvarez on September 13 for the undisputed super middleweight crown. With 41 wins and 31 knockouts under his belt, Crawford is known for his slick movement and killer instinct inside the ring.

True boxing idol

While speaking with fans in Sydney, Australia, Crawford was asked which fighters he admired growing up. Though he admitted he never had a true boxing idol, he was quick to name two legends he looked up to.

“Roy Jones Jr. and Floyd Mayweather,” Crawford said. “I liked Roy because we had so much in common – he liked fishing, I love fishing; he loved dogs, I love dogs; he loved basketball, and so do I. I really relate to him, so Roy has always been, and will always be, my favorite fighter.”

Mastery in the ring

As for Mayweather, Crawford praised the undefeated champion’s relentless drive and mastery in the ring:

“Floyd Mayweather’s work ethic and what he did inside the ring – not outside of it – that’s what made him special to me.”

Even the best have their heroes – and for Crawford, greatness recognizes greatness.

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Floyd Mayweather Among Terence Crawford’s List Of Favorite Fighters

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Terence Crawford and Floyd Mayweather

Terence Crawford includes Floyd Mayweather in list of favorite fighters.

Terence Crawford is currently one of the best boxers in the world. He is high up the pound-for-pound rankings after capturing world titles in four different weight classes, and has held the undisputed title in two weight divisions.

Crawford is set to fight Canelo Alvarez next on September 13 for the undisputed super middleweight title. He is an elusive fighter who has tremendous finishing instincts and out of his 41 career wins, 31 have come by way of knockout.

Fans might wonder who Crawford appreciated as a fighter growing up. ‘Bud’ claimed he never had a boxing hero, but when asked who his favorite fighter was, he named Floyd Mayweather and Roy Jones Jr.

While speaking with fans in Sydney, Australia, Crawford said:

Roy Jones Jr., Floyd Mayweather. I liked Roy because we had so much in common. He liked the fish, I love the fish. He loved the dogs, I love the dogs. He loved Basketball, I love Basketball. I relate a lot to Roy, so that’s why Roy, was, will, and forever be my favorite fighter. Floyd Mayweather’s work ethic, the things that he did in the ring, not outside the ring.

Some fans relate Terence Crawford’s fighting style to that of Floyd Mayweather. Apart from being a knockout artist, he is tremendous in defense and is always on the hunt for the finish.

A fighter of his caliber is must-watch TV, and Crawford might finally meet his match when he squares off against Canelo Alvarez later in the year, making the event a must-watch spectacle for boxing fans.

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Terence Crawford Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If He Would Ever Fight Jake Paul

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Terence Crawford and Jake Paul

Terence Crawford is over 40 fights into an exceptional professional career.

Since making his debut back in 2008, the 37-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska has won world titles in four weight classes, as well as capturing the undisputed championship at super-lightweight and welterweight.

‘Bud’ is now gearing up for what could be the toughest test of his career, as he prepares to challenge Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super-middleweight championship in September.

Aside from his upcoming showdown with Canelo, the 37-year-old has also been linked with a bout against Youtube star turned professional fighter Jake Paul, who has won all but one of his professional fights since making his debut five years ago.

Speaking to Club Shay Shay, Crawford was asked if he would actually consider facing Paul, whose most recent victory came against heavyweight icon Mike Tyson.

“No, Jake’s doing his thing, Jake’s big but he’s doing his thing, I’m gonna let Jake do what Jake do.”

Crawford changed his mind promptly when the scenario has a $200 million purse attached…

“I’m fighting Jake Paul.”

‘The Problem Child’ makes his return to the ring on Saturday June 28 when he faces former WBC world middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

Paul has expressed his intentions to fight for a legitimate world title in the near future, but must defeat Chavez in impressive fashion if he is to push towards achieving his career long dream of capturing world honours.

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David Benavidez Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Terence Crawford Has Any

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Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford 

David Benavidez Didn’t Hesitate When Asked If Terence Crawford Has Any Chance Of Beating Canelo

David Benavidez has offered his final prediction for Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford‘s mega-fight later this year.

The pound-for-pound stars will lock horns in September with Canelo set to put his undisputed super-middleweight championship on the line against ‘Bud’.

The fight was made official just moments after Canelo defeated former IBF super-middleweight champion William Scull in Riyadh on May 2. Canelo made history by becoming the only fighter to achieve undisputed status at 168lbs on two separate occasions.

Crawford is looking to write himself into the boxing history books once again, as he bids to become the first three-division undisputed champion and a world champion in a fifth weight class should he prevail against the Mexican icon.

Speaking to Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry, Benavidez – who has himself relentlessly chased a fight with Canelo – was asked if he believes Crawford is capable of defying the odds and defeating the Mexican star when they go toe-to-toe.

“I think if anybody has an opportunity, I mean has a chance to beat Canelo, I think it’s Terence Crawford, his IQ is on another level, he’s a great fighter and he’s strong. It’s just that it’s a lot of weight you know what I mean?

“And he didn’t have a hard time at 154 but he wasn’t like… the other guy was getting him with some good punches so he felt the power at 154, so imagine you go up to 168 and you’re fighting a strong fighter like Canelo so I wouldn’t be surprised if Terence Crawford wins but I wouldn’t be surprised if he loses either.”

Crawford’s last outing came in August when he dethroned Israil Madrimov of the WBA light-middleweight title, but the 37-year-old from Omaha is now tasked with jumping up another two divisions ahead of what could be the toughest test of his outstanding career.

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Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford gets major boost as Noche UFC 3 is

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Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford

Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford gets major boost as Noche UFC 3 is downgraded after relocation

Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford will no longer compete with a UFC pay-per-view show.

The biggest boxing bout of the year is set to take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on September 13.

Dana White was originally scheduled to promote the event, but he was replaced due to a clash with UFC 320, due to take place at Arena Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico, on the same night.

However, the third annual Noche UFC show was relocated and downgraded during UFC Vegas 107.

Noche UFC 3 change announced

For the past few weeks, speculation about UFC 320 has been rife due to an issue with its venue.

Fans feared the event could be hit with another huge setback following the Canelo vs. Crawford date change.

On Saturday night, those concerns were proven right as the UFC announced the show had been moved to San Antonio, Texas, and downgraded to a Fight Night card.

“The 3rd annual #NocheUFC will now take place at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas on September 13,” a post on the official UFC X account read.

“The Noche UFC Fight Night card will celebrate and honor the remarkable contributions of Mexican fighters to combat sports and continues UFC’s great tradition of holding an event around Mexican Independence Day.”

Fans react to UFC 320 news

Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford 

UFC fans took to the comment section to express their thoughts on the event change.

“That sucks I wanted to go to Mexico,” one fan said. While another added: “Should do it in the Sphere again.”

“That sucks I wanted to go to Mexico,” a third X user fumed.

“Why not fight in Mexico if it’s for Mexicans? I don’t get it,” someone else commented.

“So no longer a PPV but a fight night card, what happens to UFC 320 then,” another asked.

“Y’all gotta move this event or blow us away. Cause I’m be on that Canelo vs. Crawford fight,” a fifth fan said.

“Do not book Volk v. Yair,” one fan begged.

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Jermall Charlo Delivers Honest Verdict On Canelo vs Crawford After Watching

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Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford 

Jermall Charlo Delivers Honest Verdict On Canelo vs Crawford After Watching Brother Lose To Canelo

Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are just a few months away from their highly anticipated showdown.

Canelo will be making the first defence of his regained undisputed super-middleweight championship against ‘Bud’ in September. The fight was made official just a few moments after Canelo was declared the winner against William Scull on May 2.

One man who has weighed in on the upcoming match-up between two of the best fighters on the planet is two-weight world champion Jermall Charlo, who witnessed his twin brother Jermell suffer the first defeat of his own campaign to Alvarez in 2023.

Speaking to Fight Hype, Charlo said that the fight comes down to how Crawford will handle the weight, with putting on pounds just to match the Mexican’s size the wrong strategy.

“I like Crawford, allright, my brother fought Canelo not me, I like Crawford in this fight and he gets to stay big but my brother even told me that was his mistake that he made, he thought going up in weight, ‘I got to get massive, I got to get big to beat Canelo.’

“It made him slower, it made his reflexes slower. He’ll tell you himself he didn’t feel like the Jermell Charlo that y’all seen him fight Tony Harrison, Crawford I feel like that’s the same thing as that.”

Crawford moved up to super-welterweight in his last outing against Israil Madrimov in August, dethroning the WBA champion after a competitive twelve rounds. The 37-year-old is now tasked with moving up another two weight classes like Jermell Charlo – who was knocked down in the seventh by Canelo before losing a clear decision – did.

As for Jermall, he returns tonight in Las Vegas to face Thomas LaManna in his super-middleweight debut. A win sets him on a collision course with Caleb Plant and he has made clear that he is targetting Canelo thereafter.

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Industry “hostage” as Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford situation drags on

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Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford 

LAS VEGAS – Amid talk from boxing power brokers that the uncertainty over the setting for the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford megafight is “holding the sport hostage,” another turn rocked officials connected to the event on Friday.

As construction setbacks have delayed the opening of Mexico’s Arena Guadalajara into early September and scrapped concerts including Katy Perry’s, many in the industry learned that a possible shift from the venue by the UFC 320 “Noche” event scheduled for September 13 could re-shake an already unsteady situation.

One official connected to the event but unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter told BoxingScene Friday that there have been discussions about shifting UFC 320 to a U.S. venue, perhaps even as a non-pay-per-view event.

A UFC spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a voicemail with questions about the matter.

The situation could save Saudi Arabian boxing financier Turki Alalshikh’s bacon, who at this hour has no U.S. licensed promoter, no venue and no broadcaster for the bout between four-division champions who’ve combined to stand as undisputed champions across three divisions.

If UFC 320 is downsized off pay-per-view on September 13 or shifted to another date – September 20 in Las Vegas is open, for example – boxing officials canvassed by BoxingScene Friday feel it opens the door for UFC Chairman and TKO Boxing head Dana White to return as the Alvarez-Crawford promoter and lean on his mightier connections to arrange a broadcaster and venue.

“With every day that goes by, the ‘fight of the century’ becomes less important,” said an official with a business interest in the bout.

In the uncertain climate, fight promoters are frozen out from staging a boxing card on the popular Mexican Independence Day weekend that typically packs a Las Vegas venue.

White was originally in talks with Netflix to stage Alvarez-Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas – home of the NFL’s Raiders – on Friday, September 12.

An official briefed on the situation told BoxingScene that Alalshikh became convinced Friday was a bad day for such an immense fight after his attempt to do it on a shrunken Times Square card headlined by Ryan Garcia May 2 fizzled out.

The official said White didn’t want to stage both UFC 320 and Alvarez-Crawford on the same night, prompting Alalshikh to announce Saudi Arabia’s Sela would promote the bout, and that more information would be forthcoming on the venue and broadcaster.

Confronted by shrinking U.S. venue options led by Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena and Texas’ Globe Life Field (home of the Texas Rangers), Alalshikh always maintains the ability to bring the fight to Saudi Arabia.

But after fighting in the early-morning hours there May 3 in a subdued showing over William Scull that diminished his reputation, Alvarez has expressed that he does not prefer to return to the Middle East venue that lacks an effective audience, according to an official briefed on the matter.

Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford 

The official said Alvarez wants to return to Las Vegas, where his 2024 Mexican Independence weekend fight versus Edgar Berlanga outdid the UFC 306 event at The Sphere after Alalshikh said the UFC show he sponsored would “eat them.”

To bring the fight to Allegiant Stadium, a UNLV football game scheduled there for September 13 would need to be shifted. If Alvarez-Crawford is assigned to T-Mobile Arena, ticket prices would likely be increased to compensate for the smaller crowd.

The multiple moving parts leaves the boxing power brokers reduced to watching and waiting and asking questions, including whether Netflix will reconsider streaming boxing’s biggest fight in years.

If Netflix takes it after generating 108 million streams for Mike Tyson-Jake Paul in November, other promoters said they will be free to consider staging their own pay-per-view fight on September 20 or September 27.

“No matter how he tries to paint it, Dana [White would be] coming back with his tail between his legs,” one veteran boxing official said. “After supposedly taking a stand and walking away over the Canelo event moving to the same date as the UFC event, he’s now apparently [considering] coming back on board the Canelo event.”

What matters most is communicating a plan – to the masses and to the industry.

“None of us know what’s going on,” said an official connected to the event.

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Brian Norman Confident Terence Crawford Will Outpoint ‘Slipping’ Canelo Alvarez

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Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford 
Brian Norman Jr.’s personal interactions with Terence Crawford aren’t solely responsible for him picking him to upset Canelo Alvarez.
The unbeaten WBO welterweight champion considers himself a Canelo fan as well. Based on what he has seen from both recently, however, Norman is convinced Crawford is more than capable of outpointing the Mexican icon when they fight for Alvarez’s Ring, IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight titles Sept. 13 at a venue to be determined.
Most sportsbooks have Alvarez listed as approximately a 2-1 favorite to win, in part because Crawford will move up two weight classes — from 154 pounds to 168 — to become a champion in a fifth division.
“I actually got my boy Crawford on that,” Norman told The Ring. “I feel like what I just said about my mental [makeup], how dedicated I am to the game or whatever, Crawford is in this thing, regarding how dedicated he is to this boxing stuff. He is disciplined.
“He is another one of those disciplined fighters along with Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Marvin Hagler that are just straight disciplined to the game of boxing year-round. So, I feel he definitely got the attitude and mentality to go out there and beat Canelo.”
Multidimensional, smart and tenacious, Crawford remains undefeated 17 years into his professional career (41-0, 31 KOs). The Omaha, Nebraska, native is 37, yet still occupies the third spot on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list, behind only Ring/WBA/WBC/WBO heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) and undisputed junior featherweight champ Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs).
Norman gained invaluable experience when he sparred with Crawford in September 2021. Crawford checks in on Norman (27-0, 21 KOs, 1 NC) from time to time and attended his last fight — a third-round stoppage of Puerto Rico’s Derrick Cuevas (27-2-1, 19 KOs) on March 29 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford 
Five weeks later, Norman fell asleep during the second round of Alvarez’s unfathomably boring 12-round, unanimous points victory over Cuba’s William Scull (23-1, 9 KOs).
“I was watching the fight,” Norman said. “Next thing I know, I wake up and it’s Terence Crawford and Canelo doing the face-off with each other. I didn’t know what was going on. But I went back and watched the highlights of the fight, to find out there was no highlights. I know for a fact Crawford not going for that.”
Alvarez’s uninspiring performance May 3 at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reinforced Norman’s concerns about how Alvarez, 34, approaches his career these days. Guadalajara’s Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) is No. 8 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list, but his unenthusiastic outing versus Scull and his unwillingness to box undefeated David Benavidez have drawn intense criticism.
“The crazy part is I’m actually a Canelo fan as well,” Norman said. “I feel like just over time … he on the decline. He not doing the stuff he used to do. Him versus Cotto is my favorite Canelo fight. He had the head movement, the feet, the defense. He was literally doing all the combos.
“Lately, he been having the silk sheets and silk this and silk that, and it’s like he don’t want it as bad as he used to. Just because you made weight and you got this and you got that, that don’t mean nothing. Push yourself how you used to. So, Canelo my dog, but lately he been slipping.”
Norman, of Conyers, Georgia, is The Ring’s No. 1 welterweight contender for champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs, 1 NC), who also owns the IBF and WBA 147-pound championships. Norman, 24, is scheduled to defend his WBO belt, a crown Crawford vacated last year to move up to junior middleweight, against Japanese contender Jin Sasaki (19-1-1, 17 KOs) on June 19 at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
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Eddie Hearn Questions Terence Crawford’s Resume, Predicts Canelo vs Crawford Fight

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Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford 
Eddie Hearn doubts Terence Crawford’s resume ahead of his fight against Canelo Alvarez.

Terence Crawford will challenge Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight title on September 13. And the fight between two of the best pound-for-pound boxers has fans hooked already.

Canelo Alvarez is 63-2-2 with 39 knockout wins. He is a four-division world champion and a two-time undisputed super middleweight king. Terence Crawford, meanwhile, boasts an unblemished 41-0-0 record with 31 KO wins.

Like Canelo, he is a four weight world champion, previously holding the undisputed belt in two of those divisions. Overall, it’s a clash of titans. Eddie Hearn, though, has questioned Crawford’s resume, claiming ‘Bud’ doesn’t necessarily have the big name win.

Speaking to YSM Sports Media, the Matchroom Boxing head said:

The problem is with ‘Bud’, and I said this to him on the flight, ‘You never got the chance to build an amazing resume because there’s no one for you to fight.’ I was winding him up, ‘Tell me your best win.’ He’s like, ‘Ricky Burns’, that’s what he said.

Hearn added:

Ricky Burns is my fighter, three-division world champion. But, I said, ‘he’s a great fighter, Ricky Burns but he’s not gonna go down in history, Ricky Burns, as an all-time great. You’re telling me that is your best win?’

Finally, Hearn added that “Bud could beat all the greats, but he never really got the chance.”

Predicting Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford, Hearn said:

After watching Canelo against Scull, I know it’s Scull, I think he [Crawford] is the fresher guy in there. I very rarely back against Canelo Alvarez but it would not surprise me at all if Crawford won that fight.

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‘I didn’t know’: US superstar’s surprise Tszyu reveal in first Australian interview

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Terence Crawford 

American superstar Terence Crawford has offered a simple prediction for how any world title blockbuster between himself and Tim Tszyu would’ve gone, while also explaining that he never knew Australia’s pay-per-view star had Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu as his father.

The revelation comes as arguably the greatest fighter anywhere on the planet also predicted his $200 million Canelo Alvarez showdown this September can become the most watched pay-per-view in boxing history.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia within hours of touching down in Australia on Monday, Crawford spoke about his bold quest for greatness, comparisons to Muhammad Ali, even his memories of Kostya Tszyu – a man with whom he shares a chunk of the boxing record books.

His arrival also comes at a huge time for Australian boxing, with stars like Tim Tszyu, Jai Opetaia, Liam Paro, George Kambosos and Liam Wilson all readying for big fights between now and July.

Back in 2017, Crawford created history — and not for the first time — by becoming the super lightweight division’s first undisputed king of the four-belt era.

He was the first to achieve the feat since Kostya Tszyu, who had earned the same crown back when three belts were up for grabs.

It was in 2003 where ‘The Thunder From Down Under’ etched his own name forever into the boxing record books, and Australian sporting greatness, thanks to that brutal finish of American Zab Judah.

Now more than 20 years on, Crawford says he remembers watching the Tszyu triumph as a teenager, plus several before that on an incredible run which included the likes of Sharmba Mitchell, Julio Cesar Chavez and Miguel Angel Gonzalez.

“And Kostya and I, we met up at a boxing event recently,” Crawford said on Monday, shortly after arriving for a whirlwind promotional tour. “It was in Dubai I think, and we got a photograph together.

“Kostya Tszyu, he was a great fighter.

“Great puncher.

“I remember watching his fight against Zab Judah.

“And fights on his way up to that one … he’s someone who has always been really well respected in the sport of boxing.”

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia last month, Crawford also revealed just how close he came to fighting Tim Tszyu shortly before Christmas 2023, when ‘The Soul Taker’ was still the WBO super welterweight king.

Certainly much has changed since for both men, with 30-year-old Tszyu now readying for his own return to the top of world boxing when he challenges WBO champ Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas this July.

Terence Crawford

While Crawford has no idea what will happen with his own career after the Alvarez blockbuster – which despite much conjecture, he says will take place in Las Vegas – but confirmed the younger Tszyu had “definitely been on my radar”.

So as for how it would have felt, fighting Kostya’s son?

“I actually didn’t know Tim was his son at first,” Crawford conceded with a laugh.

“It all went over my head.

“I guess, because you never see Kostya in the corner or anything like that.

“But then when Tim started fighting in the United States, that’s when people started talking about that being his father …”

And as for how a fight between you would have gone?

“I feel I would’ve beat him,” Crawford added simply.

But as for a prediction?

“It’s boxing so you never know,” he shrugged. “But of course, I’m going to have confidence in my ability.”

Undeniably, Crawford arrives Down Under with a host of big fights coming for Australian stars.

First up, Opetaia defends his IBF cruiserweight title against undefeated Italian Claudio Squeo on the Gold Coast Sunday week, while Paro and Wilson are also set to fight on what could effectively be world title eliminators atop No Limit’s historic Cairns card on June 25.

Tszyu will also look to become a two-time world champion in Las Vegas this July, with a hyped rematch of his bloodbath against towering American champ Sebastian Fundora, while Kambosos has his own title bout against IBF super lightweight champ Richard Hitchins in New York next month.

Crawford too will also head home from his Australian tour and straight into camp for a showdown with Mexican megastar Alvarez that has been compared to no less than the Fight of the Century.

Only recently, Canelo’s business manager Richard Schaefer made headlines by suggesting the pair’s upcoming $200M blockbuster could be bigger than even when Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015.

While the MayPac showdown amassed a staggering 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, Schaefer told The Ring this week: “I’ve been involved (in boxing) 25 years and I don’t remember any fight bigger than Canelo-Crawford.

“It’s going to be the biggest fight in the sport for as long as I can remember.”

Crawford agreed, adding: “I feel if it catches fire, gets the support of the fans it could definitely do the big numbers required to surpass the great Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.”

Then with a laugh, he added: “It just depends on how many people want to steal it with piracy.”

Elsewhere this week, boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has also suggested Crawford can become the greatest fighter ever if he beats Alvarez.

With a win, Bud will become the first man of the four-belt era to become undisputed in three separate weight classes.

While De La Hoya is backing Alvarez to win, thanks to his obvious size advantage, he suggested Crawford would usurp the greatest ever with an upset – eclipsing even names like Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis.

“If Crawford can do it,” the Hall of Famer started, “I mean, give this man the title of being the greatest ever … if he pulls it off he will be the messiah of fighters”.

Asked about suggestions a win over Alvarez will see him crowned the greatest ever, Crawford says: “It makes me feel good because I’ve been working hard in this sport for a long time.

“So to get my dues would be a beautiful thing.”

And as for his own pick for greatest ever?

“Muhammad Ali,” he says.

“I know a lot of people have got Sugar Ray Robinson but obviously I haven’t seen much of him, just because of how far back it was that he fought.

“I do know however that those who did see him fight say he’s the greatest of all time.

“But for me, it’s Muhammad Ali.

“Not only his successes in the ring but what he stood for.

“Just his stance on human rights, standing up for his people … there aren’t many people who do that.

“Him doing all those things that he did, going to jail because he didn’t want to fight people who weren’t doing any harm to him … Muhammad Ali was a stand up guy.”

Having jetted into the Gold Coast on Monday morning, Crawford will now spend the opening days of his Down Under tour in Queensland before then heading to Melbourne, and finally a stopover in Sydney.

Better, the champ said he wasn’t troubled by any jeg leg at all, grinning “I’m good … ready for whatever people throw in front of me”.

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