World champion Shakur Stevenson has identified Floyd Mayweather Jr as the only fighter who could have arguably bested Terence Crawford in a “prime-for-prime” matchup. Speaking during an appearance on The Agnew Podcast, the four-weight titleholder described a potential clash between the two undefeated Americans as a “50/50” affair that defies easy prediction.
This analysis comes as Terence Crawford remains in retirement following his historic victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Terence Crawford’s career concluded with an unblemished 42-0 record after he defeated Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to become boxing’s fifth five-division world leader.
Shakur Stevenson, who shares a close bond with the man known as “Bud,” believes that while his friend has “beaten everyone,” a fantasy bout against a peak Floyd Mayweather Jr would present unique stylistic hurdles. The technical nuances of both men, Shakur Stevenson argued, make it nearly impossible to favor one over the other categorically.
The perspective from Shakur Stevenson holds weight due to his own standing as an elite pugilist. Having secured titles from featherweight to junior welterweight, he has watched both legends closely.
He noted that the outcome of such a high-stakes encounter would likely depend on which fighter entered the ring more “on point” on that specific night. Such technical drills and leadership qualities are precisely what define champions across various sporting disciplines.
Stylistic advantages and vulnerabilities in a Mayweather vs Crawford clash
The primary factor in Floyd Mayweather Jr’s favor, according to Shakur Stevenson, involves his historical performance against left-handed opponents. He pointed out that early in his 50-fight career, Floyd Mayweather Jr occasionally “struggled with southpaws.” However, Shakur Stevenson considers Terence Crawford to be “probably the best southpaw” the defensive wizard would have ever faced, adding a layer of complexity to the hypothetical match.
Conversely, Shakur Stevenson was quick to highlight that Terence Crawford has shown minor vulnerabilities in previous outings. He cited the 2019 encounter against “Mean Machine” Egidijus Kavaliauskas and the victory over Yuriorkis Gamboa as examples where Terence Crawford faced “little issues” before taking control.
In each case, “Bud” had to navigate moments of discomfort against orthodox fighters, which a technician like Floyd Mayweather Jr would certainly look to exploit.
This level of scrutiny mirrors how experts assess legacy-defining moments in other combat arenas. Just as analysts debate how rivalries shape the modern era of the UFC, the boxing world remains transfixed by the statistical and technical perfection of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Terence Crawford. Both men left the sport with their “O” intact, creating a void at the top of the pound-for-pount rankings.
Legacy and the future of the pound-for-pound rankings
Since his triumph over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in September, Terence Crawford has showed no signs of returning to active competition. Shakur Stevenson has publicly supported this decision, citing the “wear and tear” of training camps as a reason to step away. He insists that Terence Crawford has nothing left to prove after becoming the first male undisputed three-division champion in boxing history.
As the sport moves forward, recent reports have kept Floyd Mayweather Jr in the headlines regarding a potential professional rematch with Manny Pacquiao this September. While Floyd Mayweather Jr’s resume is etched in history, the emergence of talents like Naoya Inoue and Shakur Stevenson himself ensures the sport continues to evolve. These com/latest-sport-news-updates-miami-open-aintree-world-cup/”>recent sport news updates signify a changing of the guard in the professional ranks.
Ultimately, Shakur Stevenson refused to name a definitive winner, maintaining that the two icons were simply “different” in their approach. His refusal to pick a side underscores the respect he holds for the defensive mastery of Floyd Mayweather Jr and the versatile finishing ability of Terence Crawford.
For fans and historians, the “50/50” verdict remains the most realistic assessment of a fight that will forever remain in the realm of theory.
