Crawford and Usyk among boxing's all-time greats, pundits declare

Posted : 03 August 2024

Richie Woodhall, a respected voice in the boxing world, has recently shared his thoughts on Terence Crawford's place in boxing history. As Crawford prepares for his upcoming fight against Israil Madrimov, Woodhall's comments have sparked discussion about the boxer's legacy and his standing among the sport's all-time greats.

Crawford, boasting an impressive undefeated record of 40-0, is set to face Madrimov at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. This bout represents Crawford's attempt to claim the WBA super-welterweight title, potentially adding to his already remarkable collection of championships across multiple weight classes. Crawford's last appearance in the ring was over a year ago, where he delivered a dominant performance against Errol Spence Jr., securing a TKO victory in the ninth round at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena.

Woodhall, who himself held the WBC super middleweight title and now serves as a commentator for TNT Sports, has placed Crawford in elite company. He particularly praised Crawford's unique ability to switch stances seamlessly, describing him as "probably the most natural ambidextrous fighter" he has ever witnessed. This versatility, according to Woodhall, makes it nearly impossible to discern whether Crawford is naturally orthodox or southpaw.

In Woodhall's assessment, Crawford stands out as one of the most well-rounded boxers in the sport's history. However, he did note that Crawford's legacy might be slightly tempered by the level of opposition he has faced, suggesting that it may not quite match up to the caliber of opponents faced by legends like Marvin Hagler or Sugar Ray Leonard. Nevertheless, Woodhall emphasized that Crawford has consistently overcome every challenge presented to him, becoming undisputed champion in two weight divisions - a remarkable feat in itself.

Interestingly, Woodhall didn't limit his praise to Crawford alone. He also highlighted Oleksandr Usyk as another current boxer worthy of historical recognition. Usyk's accomplishments mirror Crawford's in some ways, as he too has achieved undisputed status in two weight classes - heavyweight and cruiserweight. This parallel achievement underscores the exceptional era of boxing we are currently witnessing.

Woodhall's comments reflect a growing sentiment in the boxing community that we may be observing two of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in the sport's history. The presence of two undisputed champions across multiple weight divisions is, as Woodhall puts it, "an incredible situation" that elevates the current boxing landscape to unprecedented heights.

As Crawford prepares for his bout against Madrimov, these discussions add an extra layer of significance to the fight. A victory would not only add another title to Crawford's collection but could further cement his place in boxing's pantheon of greats, validating Woodhall's high praise and potentially silencing any remaining doubters of his historical importance to the sport.

Crawford and Usyk among boxing's all-time greats, pundits declare

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