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Boxing legend reveals why he rates Terence Crawford above Floyd Mayweather
American boxing legend Roy Jones Jr believes Terence Crawford is a better fighter than Floyd Mayweather Jr - based on the fact that the former "challenges himself".
Crawford made history in September when he became the first man to reign as undisputed in three separate weight classes, defeating Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to claim the Mexican’s four titles at super middleweight.
Having previously conquered all the belts at super lightweight and welterweight, ‘Bud’ also held titles at lightweight and super welterweight - making him a five-weight world champion.
That is a distinction he shares with Mayweather, who claimed world championships at super featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight, and super welterweight between 1998 and 2015.
However, despite their accomplishments, Jones Jr stated that he preferred the more modern fighter over Mayweather.
Jones Jr told Fight Hub TV: “To me he (Crawford) is (better) because he challenges himself.
“Don’t get me wrong, Floyd ain’t no bad fighter, Floyd is a hell of a sharp fighter but I ain’t gonna say a better fighter.
“I just can appreciate it more because he challenges himself, you understand me?
“Floyd never challenged himself, so if you ask me who I want to see, Floyd or Terence, I wanna see Terence because Terence gonna challenge himself.”
(Getty Images)
Eyebrows were raised when Crawford opted to pursue a super-bout with Canelo, as ‘Bud’ was jumping up two weight classes.
Canelo, who was defeated by Mayweather back in 2013, was the favourite heading into the contest, but found himself outboxed by Crawford.
Mayweather retired undefeated, proud of his 50-0 record (27 KOs), although throughout his career ‘Money’ was accused of cherrypicking or aging out opponents. That being said, Mayweather has a host of impressive names on his CV, including Canelo, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao.
Until the addition of Canelo’s scalp, Crawford had been accused of lacking big names on his own record, although the 38-year-old was avoided during large swathes of his time at welterweight before he moved up through the divisions.
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