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Terence Crawford’s Throne Under Threat as Naoya Inoue Emerges as Boxing’s Next Great

Naoya Inoue doesn’t yet have a firm grip on boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound spot, though he insists he should. The undisputed super bantamweight champion from Japan, currently ranked No. 3 by The Ring, is locked in a three-way battle for supremacy with No.2-ranked Oleksandr Usyk and the king Terence Crawford.

Even before Crawford made history by becoming a three-division undisputed champion, Inoue had declared, “I am the pound-for-pound best boxer in the world.” And he backed up that bold claim last week with a dominant win over Murodjon Akhmadaliev, leaving little doubt about where he stands.

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua’s coach provides worrying new update on Tyson Fury grudge match

“This is the greatest fighter in the world,” his promoter Bob Arum roared to the sold-out crowd at IG Arena, as the 31-0 boxer dismantled a fearless Akhmadaliev just hours after Crawford’s historic triumph in Las Vegas. Once again, Inoue showcased why he belongs at the top of the sport. Beyond his dominance in the ring, the Japanese superstar has become a global force, with his popularity now stretching well beyond his home country. And with that kind of momentum, there’s a strong chance he could soon unseat Terence Crawford as boxing’s next pound-for-pound king.

Can Naoya Inoue seize the pound-for-pound throne?

Yesterday, SourceofBoxing took to Instagram to post a picture of Naoya Inoue and posed the question: “If Naoya Inoue beats Alan Picasso in December, defeats Junto Nakatani in 2026, and then moves up to claim world titles at featherweight, would that cement him as the greatest fighter of this generation? 🤔”

And honestly, Naoya Inoue deserves respect for staying as active as he has. While champions like ‘Bud’ Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk typically fight once or twice a year at most, Inoue has been dominating opponents in three to four fights annually, often finishing with knockouts. For perspective, Terence Crawford’s last knockout came two years ago against Errol Spence Jr. In contrast, the 31-0 Japanese star has already beaten Ye Joon Kim by fourth-round KO, Ramon Cardenas by eighth-round TKO, and most recently scored a unanimous decision win at IG Arena in Nagoya, all in the same year. And he’s still not done, with another fight lined up for December.

Meanwhile, the undefeated Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk has earned the luxury of charting his own path. After his latest victory over Daniel Dubois via a fifth-round knockout, his mandatory WBO defense against Joseph Parker was put on hold due to a back injury. Meanwhile, a surprising potential opponent has emerged, a fight that, if Usyk takes it, could mark the final chapter of his career, as the 38-year-old champion edges closer to retirement.

Similarly, Terence Crawford, who turns 38 next week, has already secured his place among boxing’s all-time greats. Should Crawford take just a couple more fights before retiring, the path would be clear for Naoya Inoue to solidify his status as the greatest fighter of this generation, with the 32-year-old still in his prime and plenty of time left to leave his mark on the sport. The same is the case with Usyk.

The news Naoya Inoue would hate to hear

Before Ring Magazine’s latest update, Oleksandr Usyk held the No. 1 pound-for-pound ranking, with Naoya Inoue at No. 2 and Terence Crawford at No. 3. Canelo Alvarez was further down the list. But after the historic fights on September 13, the landscape shifted dramatically. Crawford surged to No. 1, pushing Usyk and Inoue each down a spot, while Canelo slipped to No. 10, now trailing behind David Benavidez.

Ultimately, the shake-up has fueled debate, particularly since Naoya Inoue also delivered a dominant performance and has cleared out his division over the past 26 months with six fights. In comparison, Crawford has fought just three times in the same span. Still, his accomplishment of becoming a three-division undisputed champion, a milestone no other male boxer has achieved in the four-belt era, earned him the edge in the rankings.

Even so, the Japanese ‘Monster’ has a strong case. Usyk has fought only four times in the last two years and is not expected back in the ring again this year, while Inoue is already lined up for a December fight against David Picasso and a possible showdown with Junto Nakatani next year.

BOXING

Anthony Joshua’s coach provides worrying new update on Tyson Fury grudge match

Expected to make good on his comeback next year, fans have been warned about getting their hopes up about Anthony Joshua finally facing Tyson Fury in the ring.

Linked with a massive return to boxing as part of a premier trip to Ghana to compete, former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has been tied to a laundry list of potential opponents.

And expected to fight toward the start of 2026, Joshua is then planned to return in the summer with a view to potentially settling his historic rivalry with former world champion Tyson Fury.

JUST IN: Terence Crawford Reveals How He Frustrated Canelo Alvarez Du

However, the Watford puncher’s long-time head coach is not sold on his student ever sharing the ring with the Morecambe native in an all-British showdown.

Anthony Joshua’s grudge fight with Tyson Fury not looking “promising”

Tied at the hip for years, it seems, Joshua and Fury have been on a definite collision course since their initial runs as world champions began in the 2010s.

However, failing to ever settle their long-standing differences, Joshua’s lead promoter Eddie Hearn claimed he was hopeful of eventually booking the Olympian against Fury, as soon as next summer, in fact.

But in a new update from Joshua’s camp, his head trainer Ben Davison has claimed a pairing is not “looking promising”, despite Hearn’s continued efforts.

“I don’t have the answer, if I did I’d be a very rich man,” Davison told Sky Sports on whether a fight with Joshua and Fury will take place. “However, at the moment, I think that — currently at the moment, we’re talking about somebody who’s nearly been retired for a year.

'At the moment, it's not looking too promising' ❌

Ben Davison shares his thoughts on the prospect of Anthony Joshua fighting Tyson Fury 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/XUyZdrcyXt

— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) September 23, 2025

“And we’re talking about somebody who boxed over a year ago,” Davison explained. “At the moment, it’s not looking too promising. …I think it would be a shame if they do fight again, and it’s not against each other. However, we have no right as the public to tell any fighter that they can’t retire.”

And it’s not just Davison who claims Joshua and Fury failing to fight would be shameful, but one of the biggest talents in the sport’s history.

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury warned they will lament failed fight

Sharing the ring with the biggest and baddest of heavyweight stars during his prime, British megastar Lennox Lewis fought names like Mike Tyson, as well as Vitali Klitschko, before his ultimate retirement.

And citing his eventual clash with Tyson, the Olympian claimed he would have lamented never sharing the ring with the Catskills puncher if he retired amid uncertainty regarding the bout.

Offering some advice to both Fury and Joshua, Lewis claimed both would regret never sharing the ring together if they suddenly hung up their gloves for good.

BOXING

Terence Crawford Reveals How He Frustrated Canelo Alvarez Du

Terence Crawford Reveals How He Frustrated Canelo Alvarez During Historic Win

Terence Crawford has looked back on his September 13 win against Canelo Alvarez, detailing how he managed to frustrate the Mexican during their fight.

Crawford took Canelo’s shots well despite moving up two weight classes. He timed his shots perfectly, not allowing Alvarez to implement his game plan at all. Canelo’s frustration was visible as he tried to get himself going but couldn’t execute what he was looking for.

JUST IN: Why Canelo Alvarez Won’t Take Terence Crawford Rematch As Re

Crawford walked away with a unanimous decision, 116-114, 155-113, and 115-113, becoming the undisputed super middleweight champion. And during a recent chat with Shawn Porter, Crawford detailed how he neutralized Canelo inside the ring.

Terence Crawford analyzes Canelo Alvarez win

Crawford pointed out Canelo’s fights against Floyd Mayweather, Erislandy Lara, Caleb Plant, and Dmitry Bivol, claiming he could do all those styles. ‘Bud’ added that he was prepared for everything Canelo could offer and knew Alvarez hasn’t been using his jab as effectively in the last few years.

Speaking on The Porterway Podcast, he said, “I see is him fighting Lara, him fighting Caleb Plant, him fighting Mayweather, him fighting um uh Bivol, all those styles. I’m capable of doing all those in one.”

My train of thought is if I can take your punch, you in for a long night. I felt I took his punch really well and it wasn’t nothing that I needed to worry about. That’s why I was so comfortable in there. But my coaches just like the whole camp, stay disciplined.”

– Terence Crawford

Crawford added, “We knew Canelo going to bring out all the old tricks and things like that. So, we prepared for everything. We prepared for him to jab. We prepared for him to counter. We prepared for him to, you know, go backwards and box. I know in at times you see him he back up and put himself on the ropes and I just look at him you know we’re not going to fall into that.”

Terence Crawford after defeating Canelo (2025) pic.twitter.com/QKotov08bP

— Fight Pics That Go Hard (@fightpicsgohard) September 14, 2025

Crawford previously said in the same interview, “Round by round you could tell that he was getting more frustrated and then he’ll just start, you know what I mean? Saying, “Come on, champion. Come on. Come on, champion. Come on.”

BOXING

Why Canelo Alvarez Won’t Take Terence Crawford Rematch As Re

Eddie Hearn Reveals Why Canelo Alvarez Won’t Take Terence Crawford Rematch

There is a lot of intrigue about where both Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford will go next in their respective boxing careers after their fight on September 13, which resulted in Crawford winning a unanimous decision and taking Canelo’s undisputed super middleweight belts.

The world appears to be Crawford’s oyster right now. Not only can he choose between numerous opponents, but there are also multiple weight divisions he could fight in. Not to mention that a potential rematch against Canelo would appear to be on the table, which could earn Crawford nine figures.

The future isn’t as bright for Canelo. While he’s still one of boxing’s biggest stars and will make an absurd amount of money in his next bout, there’s strong evidence his best days are behind him. And Canelo’s fan base doesn’t want his career to end with consecutive defeats or, even worse, with Canelo getting knocked out for the first time.

READ: Gervonta Davis Makes It Perfectly Clear Whether He Still Wants To

Many assume Canelo’s first choice for his next fight would be to rematch Crawford. However, others don’t think that’s a smart idea, given how the first fight went.

Eddie Hearn Gets Brutally Honest About Canelo’s Career

One of those in the latter group is Matchroom Boxing head honcho Eddie Hearn, who revealed as much in a September 21 interview with Keith Idec of Ring Magazine.

“I don’t think Canelo will want the rematch. I think there’s a rematch clause. I don’t know,” Hearn said. “It’s very unusual for Canelo to go into a fight without a rematch clause. But, for me, I just can’t see Canelo going, ‘Yes, I want to run that back.’

“A certain style is not good for Canelo. When I talked about the Crawford fight with Canelo two years ago, he had no interest in that fight because he knew. Talk about Crawford’s IQ, Canelo’s IQ, Reynoso’s IQ — they know \\boxing. They knew that fight was a nightmare for them, really,” Hearn added.

Eddie Hearn tells The Ring he doesn’t think Canelo Alvarez will be interested in a rematch with Terence Crawford 👀

Do you want to see the two run it back? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/12fnrQROvz

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) September 21, 2025

“But financially, obviously it was a huge opportunity. But when you start saying, ‘My body just can’t do it anymore. It can’t,’ that’s a telltale sign that he knows that physically he’s just not the same. I think what we shouldn’t be saying is, ‘Canelo’s old. Canelo’s shot,’ because you’ve got to give the credit to Crawford.

“But Canelo is nowhere near the fighter he once was,” Hearn added.

Props to Hearn for willing to speak his truth, despite how others might feel about it.\

BOXING

Why Shakur Stevenson Blames His Idol Floyd Mayweather for Mo

Shakur Stevenson Blames His Idol Floyd Mayweather for Modern-Era Boxing’s Biggest Problem

“God only made one thing perfect: my boxing record,” Floyd Mayweather once said about his undefeated record. It has been eight years since the 50-0 former champion retired.

Active in the exhibition circuit, he’s now set to face Mike Tyson in a spring friendly exhibition bout next year. Yet the buzz of the Olympian’s scintillating achievements, which defined the first two decades of this century, still reverberates. Many eulogize his achievements.

Still, underscoring a renewed narrative, Mayweather’s quest to stay unbeaten may have done more harm to boxing.

JUST IN: Gervonta Davis Makes It Perfectly Clear Whether He Still Wants To

During an interview, legendary ring commentator Jim Gray highlighted how Floyd Mayweather‘s focus on staying undefeated potentially ‘ruined’ the sport. In the past, boxers like Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard, at the top of their game, fought the very best, sometimes climbing up multiple weight classes. They weren’t afraid of losing. Today, many fighters appear to stay in a safe lane. They avoid risks. They fear a loss might hurt their record or cost them future titles and payouts. Many believe Mayweather influenced that mindset. Even some of his fans seem to embrace this narrative.

Floyd Mayweather was the undefeated strategist, but…

The latest episode of ‘The Arena‘ featured Shakur Stevenson. After his sensational win over William Zepeda, where many compared him to Floyd Mayweather, Stevenson appears to be in talks for a super fight with Teofimo Lopez in 2026. Speaking on boxing greatness and the current era, he sharply critiqued some fighters. “I feel like guys in this generation are scared to put it all on the line,” he remarked. The point invariably had one of the hosts asking, “Do you think the fact that Floyd made his O such a big thing over time that that became the thing in the sport?”

The WBC lightweight champion acknowledged the influence. Almost everyone knows how Mayweather changed how fighters view the sport. “Everybody wants to be undefeated,” Shakur Stevenson said. “People are scared to take chances. They would rather go fight a bigger notoriety fight than fight a guy that’s the best guy.”

Instead of facing the top fighter, many focus on popularity and its perks, Stevenson claimed. “So, Floyd definitely changed that when he went undefeated and talked the way he talked and did everything that he did. He changed the sport of boxing.”

Call out, but do look closer

Speaking with Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, the veteran commentator, who turns 66 in November, observed, “Floyd Mayweather ruined this sport.” His statement was not personal. He is friends with Mayweather. Yet, like Stevenson, Gray felt, “The only thing that mattered was the zero.”

Now Jim Gray’s comments come from decades of observing fighters at ringside. But Shakur Stevenson’s claims may surprise some. Fans still watch clips of him training with Mayweather. Stevenson has also said in interviews that the former world champion mentored him.

Perhaps the narrative that Mayweather started the trend of protecting one’s record requires deeper thought. No fighter likes defeat. There is no denying that Mayweather faced some of the era’s biggest names. He was 36 when he fought 23-year-old Canelo.

Many times, defeat almost struck, but Mayweather turned the tables on his opponents.

BOXING

Gervonta Davis Makes It Perfectly Clear Whether He Still Wants To

Gervonta Davis Makes It Perfectly Clear Whether He Still Wants To Face Shakur Stevenson

Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson remain on a collision course for a potential ‘super fight’ in the future.

‘Tank’ Davis currently holds the WBA lightweight title, making the most recent defence of his crown back in March when he fought to a majority decision draw against countryman Lamont Roach Jr, although many fans and analysts believe the challenger had done enough to be declared the winner.

JUST IN: How Terence Crawford loses WBA title just one week after upset wi

As for Stevenson, the 28-year-old Newark-native reigns as the WBC world champion at 135lbs with his latest defence coming against William Zepeda on July 12, defeating the previously unbeaten Mexican via unanimous decision at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York City.

Despite fans calling for a showdown between the American duo for a number of years now, the fight is yet to come to fruition with both fighters seemingly on different paths as it stands.

Speaking on Sway’s Universe, former Showtime and current PBC executive Stephen Espinoza revealed to Stevenson that ‘Tank’ has expressed his desire to face the unbeaten WBC lightweight champion on multiple occasions in the past, sparking rumours that a showdown between the duo could take place sooner than expected.

“I’ll tell you this. Tank has definitely said repeatedly ‘I want to fight Shakur, I want to fight Shakur.”

Davis is set to make his return to the ring later this year as he gears up to face Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

Stevenson is expected to return to the ring for the 25th time as a professional in the early stages of 2026, with rumours circulating that the 28-year-old will move up to super-lightweight to challenge WBO world champion Teofimo Lopez next.

BOXING

How Terence Crawford loses WBA title just one week after upset wi

Terence Crawford loses WBA title just one week after upset win over Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford turned the boxing world upside down with his stunning, unanimous decision victory over Mexican phenom Saul Alvarez, capturing the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles on Sept. 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. “Bud” moved up in weight to secure his “Canelo” fight on Netflix and following his commanding performance in “Sin City,” has no immediate plans to move back down.

The decision cost Crawford the WBA super welterweight title.

JUST IN: Why Gervonta Davis Doesn’t Care If Fans Are Mad He’s Fighting J

That means current interim champion Abass Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs), who thumped Yoenis Tellez to score the substitute strap last August in Orlando, will now carry the undisputed title, not unlike this heavyweight situation that recently played out for UFC fans.

WBA officials are expected to name Baraou’s first title defense in the coming weeks, with names like Conor Benn and Josh Kelly at (or near) the top of the list. As for Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs), he’s taking some time off before shuffling through his list of available opponents.

Which may not include David Benavidez or “Boots” Ennis.

“This is the top of the top,” Crawford said during the post-fight press conference. “Canelo is an all-time great, like I said before. He’s the last one. There’s no more Canelos, there’s no more. So when you look around, you say that I’m Canelo. I’m the face of boxing now. I’m the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, like I’ve always been.”

BOXING

Why Gervonta Davis Doesn’t Care If Fans Are Mad He’s Fighting J

Gervonta Davis Doesn’t Care If Fans Are Mad He’s Fighting Jake Paul, Not Lamont Roach

Gervonta Davis doesn’t care if boxing fans are bothered by him fighting Jake Paul rather than taking a rematch with Lamont Roach.

The unbeaten WBA lightweight champion stated exactly that during a press conference Monday night in New York to promote his November 14 bout with Paul at Kaseya Center in Miami.

“Why should I care? Why should I care what they think, when y’all switch?,” Davis asked. “Y’all switch. Somebody can have a bad day and y’all switching on who y’all favorite fighter is or who this person is supposed to fight. Like y’all need to sit back and be fans and just enjoy the sport. Like y’all even talk about people personal lives. Like when it come to that?”

Jake Paul clowns Gervonta Davis for fumbling fight date at first Netflix press conference

READ: Why Ranking Terence Crawford above Floyd Mayweather ‘can be s

A frustrated Davis is obviously bothered by the public’s reaction to his 12-round majority draw with Roach on March 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The powerful southpaw from Baltimore entered the ring as a 16-1 favorite, yet Roach gave Davis the most difficult fight of his career.

If referee Steve Willis correctly called a knockdown when Davis took a knee early in the ninth round, the three-division champion would’ve lost on the scorecards.

Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs), seemingly intent to redeem himself, exercised his contractual right to an immediate rematch with Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs). It was pushed back twice, however, before Baltimore’s Davis ultimately decided to oppose Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) in a higher-profile event Netflix will stream worldwide.

Paul, a cruiserweight, most recently weighed in 65 pounds higher than Davis did for his fight with Roach. The rules regarding their fight haven’t been specified.

The prevailing opinion among boxing fans is Davis didn’t want to fight Roach again. The 30-year-old Davis argued Monday that he is held to a different standard than some of his contemporaries.

“And y’all keep on talking about fighting somebody?,” Davis said before alluding to Paul. “Didn’t he just have a fight? Didn’t he just have a fight? And what happened? What happened? What happened? He won, right? But how he look in it? Exactly. But y’all say some different [expletive] when it’s me, right? Because y’all want me to lose.

“When y’all see people in that limelight too long, they want somebody else, you know, to come take that spot. That’s why it’s always like, c’mon, bro. That’s what happened with Floyd. Y’all seen him too much and once y’all seen him so much, y’all started hatin’ on him. Like it turned from love to hate. You know?”

BOXING

Despite WBC’s Backing, Canelo Alvarez’s Boxing Future in Jeopard

By Admin September 22, 2025

Canelo Alvarez’s Boxing Future in Jeopardy Despite WBC’s Backing, Ex-World Champ Fears

A quick glance at boxing rankings, and the landscape depicts a different picture than it did a week ago. In the super middleweight division, the champion’s row has only one name: Terence Crawford. The WBA and WBC’s format lists Jose Armando Resendiz and Christian M’billi as interim title holders. What stands out is the number one name in the contender’s list. Right after M’billi, WBC’s first-ranked contender is Canelo Alvarez. Until a week ago his name was embossed at the top.

The loss to Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium may have put a brake on Canelo’s career. Since defeating Rocky Fielding back in 2018, he has ruled the division. He still has two fights left under the Riyadh Season deal, and remains a big name in the division and in boxing in general. But there is no denying it: A narrative that a prime Canelo Alvarez may be a thing of the past now seems to linger. One only needs to review former champion Paulie Malignaggi‘s pointed observations to gauge the undercurrents.

JUST IN: Why Ranking Terence Crawford above Floyd Mayweather ‘can be s

Has time finally run out on Canelo Alvarez?

Boxing Scene‘s podcast had barely started when the host asked Malignaggi, “What is, to you, the biggest movement at 168? Is it Canelo being number one, ranked number one by WBC? Is it the M’billi rematch with Lester Martinez? What do you think will happen? Is Crawford staying at 68? What’s the X factor to you?” The former junior welterweight champion responded, “I like the Martinez rematch because it pushes more for the future, and it keeps pushing continuity.”

He explained. Crawford had a great victory, but he is getting old. It remains uncertain how long he will stay at 168 pounds. “Canelo, you know, he’s a big name, so he’s going to be in the conversation all the time. But again, there’s not much continuity there because how much longer is he really going to be around, you know?” Paulie Malignaggi asked.

That is where Christian M’billi and Lester Martinez’s rematch comes into play. The outcome provides the division with a way forward. The host pressed. Canelo still remains one of boxing’s biggest money spinners. So, Paulie Malignaggi highlighted one stark reality.

The truth and the path forward

Even if WBC placed him at the top of their contender’s list, it may not necessarily bring him rewards. “The good thing about WBC is even if you’re the number one contender, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to fight for the title. You can be the number one contender for, like, five years and never fight for the title,” Malignaggi said.

In Canelo’s case there might be exceptions, he believed. Despite the loss, he is still one of the biggest names in boxing.

It is hard to imagine how a loss could end up for the proverbial face of the sport. But that seems to be the case. There has been clamor for a rematch. If open about it, neither Crawford nor Canelo has expressed any commitment to a second fight either.

Perhaps the best recourse for Canelo could be a face-off against a rising star like Hamzah Sheeraz, who defeated Edgar Berlanga recently. A win over Sheeraz and a face-off against the winner of the M’billi-Martinez rematch should help him regain lost ground and maybe claim a rematch with Crawford.

BOXING

Why Ranking Terence Crawford above Floyd Mayweather ‘can be s

By Admin September 22, 2025

Ranking Terence Crawford above Floyd Mayweather ‘can be self-serving’

The aftermath of Terence Crawford-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez left us with one enduring quote. Everybody knew Crawford’s victory was significant, but just how much did it enhance his legacy? Could the audacity and mastery he showed even elevate him above Floyd Mayweather Jnr – who had also defeated Alvarez – historically?

Asked to compare his fights with the two men, Alvarez was blunt. “I think Crawford is way better than Floyd Mayweather,” he said.

Coming from the only man to have fought both Crawford and Mayweather, those words can go a long way and have ignited debates in the week since Crawford defeated Canelo. On the other hand, while the physical fights end with the final bell, psychological wars are waged well before and afterwards. Alvarez may have been caught up in Crawford’s mastery, but maybe he also wanted to take a shot at Mayweather.

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua Accused Of Avoiding Heavyweight Rival For

“It’s probably too close to the fight [to read into Canelo’s comment],” Stephen “Breadman” Edwards told BoxingScene. “Fighters are emotional, and sometimes they say self-serving things. Maybe Canelo’s trying to get Floyd back for saying certain things about him. You never know.

“Sometimes you just have to be careful with anything that a fighter says, because sometimes it can be self-serving. Sometimes it can be emotions after the fight. [Canelo] may, deep down inside, not think as highly of Floyd as a person.

“It’s a lot of things with fighters. Sometimes I’ll hear fighters say the best fighter that they’ve ever faced, and they’ll come up with somebody, and you know that person’s not the best fighter that they’ve faced, but you’ve gotta kind of respect it. ‘Okay, whatever.’ You hear it all the time. Most fighters say off-the-wall stuff.”

One such instance: during the build-up to Crawford-Canelo, Alvarez took shots at Crawford’s resume. “If you look at his career, mention one elite fighter,” Alvarez said during a bizarre discussion including Crawford, Tom Brady, and Shaquille O’ Neal.

“So [Viktor] Postol wasn’t elite?” Crawford retorted, referring to the Ukrainian against whom Crawford unified two 140lbs titles in 2016. “Ricky Burns wasn’t elite?”

Crawford could have named Errol Spence or Shawn Porter, both far better-known and respected fighters he knocked out at welterweight. Why he did not is anybody’s guess.

“You can’t challenge their opinion because it’s opinion, it’s subjective,” Edwards said. “It is what it is. I think Spence is better than Postol, but if that’s what Crawford says, how we gonna argue with him? He’s the one that been in the ring, he beat both guys! If anybody has the most credibility, it would be him.”

Breadman, for this reason, doesn’t put much stock into Alvarez’s comment.

“I don’t know how Canelo feels about Floyd deep down inside,” he said. “He might be taking a jab at Floyd. You never know how that works.”