Terence Crawford is undefeated in 41 contests over four weight classes.
The 37-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska most recently beat previously-undefeated Israil Madrimov, winning the WBA World Title in the 154 pounds ranks. The unanimous decision victory ended a ten-fight stoppage streak and was recognised by many as the toughest night of Crawford’s career.
However, speaking at the post-fight press conference, Crawford said that his super-welterweight debut dance partner was not the biggest test.
“I wouldn’t say it was my toughest fight. I think ‘Mean Machine’ was a tougher fight than that. I think Gamboa was a tougher fight than that. I think Benavidez was a tougher fight than that.”
In a 2023 interview with The Breakfast Club, ‘Bud’ discussed Egidijus ‘Mean Machine’ Kavaliauskas and Yuriorkis Gamboa in more detail.
“I would say the hardest fight in my career, it would have to be between Egidijus and Gamboa. Gamboa’s feet was just so fast and he was so small to where he was darting in and darting out, hitting me and making me miss just by an inch. I had to make certain adjustments, he was making adjustments.
It was a chess match but a fast chess match. He was getting the better of me because he was more experienced, but at the same time he was more explosive. I just had to figure out the puzzle a little longer.”
Cuba’s Gamboa was served his first loss by Crawford in 2014, impressing in the early round but struggling to deal with the American switching southpaw later on. ‘Bud’ scored four knockdowns before the TKO in the ninth.
Five years later he stopped hard-hitting Lithuanian ‘Mean Machine’, also in the ninth round, to hold on to his WBO Welterweight World Title.
If Crawford has his way, his toughest night in the ring may be yet to come. He is currently in hot pursuit of fellow four-weight champ Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – a fight that would requite him to jump up a further two divisions.
