Roy Jones Jr has respect for Floyd Mayweather, but believes an active champion is better.
‘Money’ Mayweather proved himself to be one of, if not the, greatest defensive fighter to have ever laced up a pair of gloves throughout the course of his decorated professional career.
The Michigan-native captured numerous world titles in five weight classes along the way, racking up legacy-defining victories over the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya.
Mayweather called time on his career with an unbeaten record of 50-0 in 2017, just months on from his monumental crossover showdown with former UFC champion Conor McGregor.
Another American fighter that has established himself as one of the all-time greats during his tenure is three-weight undisputed world champion Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Hall of Famer Roy Jones was asked if he believes Crawford is actually a better fighter overall than ‘Money’ Mayweather.
“To me he is 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 [than Crawford] 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.”
Omaha’s ‘Bud’ Crawford cemented himself in the history books with his victory over Canelo on September 13. The switch-hitter moved up two weight classes from his last outing to face the Mexican icon, soundly beating him on points.
Crawford is expected to fight on and further add to his legacy. Whether or not, at 38-years-old, he fights eight more times to equal Mayweather’s record remains to be seen but is unlikely.
