Terence Crawford: I’ve fought Errol Spence and Shawn Porter but Canelo Alvarez is the biggest fight of my career – this is for history
Terence Crawford has admitted that 'history and legacy' stand before him as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career.
Crawford, 37, locks horns with Canelo Alvarez this weekend in Las Vegas for a bout that can only be described as era-defining for both fighters.
'Bud' is the current WBA super-welterweight champion, but will move up two divisions on Saturday night in an attempt to dethrone the Mexican great of his undisputed status at super-middleweight.
The showdown at Allegiant Stadium has already smashed several records, with lead promoter Dana White confirming it will bring in the third-biggest gate in boxing history, behind Floyd Mayweather's fights with Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao.
Millions around the world are expected to tune in for the Netflix event, with two of boxing's pound-for-pound stars set to clash with their legacies on the line.
Speaking to talkSPORT in Las Vegas, Crawford recognised that his meeting with Alvarez is the biggest in his 17-year professional journey, but asserted the opportunity is well overdue.
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Terence Crawford ready for 'biggest opportunity' of career against Canelo Alvarez
“This is the biggest opportunity of my career, and this is the opportunity to become the first three-weight undisputed world champion," Crawford said.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than that, especially fighting a guy like Canelo, who's been undefeated in this weight class, who's railroaded everybody that has stepped in front of them in this weight class.
“This is a massive fight. It's the biggest fight in boxing and I'm looking forward to it.”
Having already distanced himself from his fellow pugilists in the elite world, a win for Crawford this weekend would set him apart from his peers like no other.
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Should he have his arm raised on Saturday, Crawford would incredibly become the first male boxer to be crowned an undisputed champion in three different weight classes in the four-belt era.
Claressa Shields became the first female to achieve the same feat when she dominated Danielle Perkins over 10 rounds in February.
This put her ahead of Crawford, Oleksandr Usyk, and Naoya Inoue, who have all held two-division undisputed status in their respective careers.
Crawford became the first man to hold two sets of undisputed titles when he defeated Errol Spence at 147lbs in July 2023, having already been crowned the four-belt holder at super-lightweight by knocking out Julius Indongo six years prior.
It was a true clinic in the sweet science, a punch-perfect display which earned him notoriety globally.
He also has notable stoppage victories over names like Amir Khan, Kell Brook, and Shawn Porter.
Crawford now has the chance to achieve greatness once again by replicating the triumphs of Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol with a win over Alvarez.
The stakes have never been higher for the Nebraska native, who always knew he had it in him to reach boxing's summit.
Terence Crawford on his pursuit of history
Crawford now has the chance to achieve greatness once again by replicating the triumphs of Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol with a win over Alvarez.
He could equal Mayweather's record as a five-weight world champion with victory, while finally earning the plaudits he deserves for his stellar undefeated career.
The stakes have never been higher for the Nebraska native, who always knew he had it in him to reach boxing's summit.
“History and legacy stand in front of me," Crawford added in his conversation with talkSPORT.
Terence Crawford's Career Highlights
Undeniable
- First male four-belt undisputed world champion in two divisions
Unified WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF welterweight titles with ninth-round TKO win over Errol Spence in July 2023
Achieved same feat by stopping Julius Indongo at 140lbs in 2017, becoming first to unify all four belts in division
- Four-weight world champion (10 world titles)
Lightweight (135lbs)
Super-lightweight (140lbs)
Welterweight (147lbs)
Super-welterweight (154lbs)
- Professional record: 41-0 (31 KOs)
19 wins (15 KOs) in world title fights
- Amateur record: 58-12
"All the great fighters rose in times like this, and I'm looking forward to doing the same.
"When I first started [boxing at seven], I always had that belief that I was great, I just needed the opportunity.
"I wouldn't say I walked in there thinking I was great. I just had the heart and mindset that I'm better than you.
"You might have better skills than me, you might be faster than me, but I'll beat you up.
"When I was on a football field, I thought, 'I'm gonna get you.' I might be the smallest, but I'm gonna tackle you.
"I might not be the fastest, but I'm gonna work the hardest... I think that's what led me to keep rising and keep getting better.
"Each day that I put work in the gym, it's a mindset."
Terence Crawford on finally getting his big opportunity to face Canelo Alvarez
Crawford had to wait for several months for the opportunity to face Alvarez in a huge battle of the pound-for-pound operators.
The Mexican wasn't too keen on the bout due to their size difference, but he gradually softened his stance after the intervention of Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.
When describing how his period waiting for the blockbuster bout felt, he added to talkSPORT: “Definitely frustrating.
"When you put your all in something and you see people that do half of what you do get the biggest opportunities and their name gets called and things like that.
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"It's definitely not a good feeling because you know where you belong, and when your number or your name finally does get called, and you show the world, like I've been here it's like it's kind of disappointing at times because it's like man. If only they had called my name five or six years ago. I could have been further in my career.
“I could have done so much more, but you know I'm a firm believer that everything happened for a reason, and whatever God's plan was is it led me to get that calling right now.”