LAS VEGAS – If you’re fortunate enough as a boxing enthusiast, a particular period may give rise to a boxer who stands out amongst greatness and serves as the benchmark for others to follow.

Over the past decade, following the episodic encounter between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, fans have witnessed remarkable performances from iconic fighters such as Canelo Alvarez, Oleksandr Usyk, and Naoya Inoue.

However, judging by Terence Crawford’s last three outings, including his remarkable recent victory in Las Vegas, where he ascended three weight classes to seize the undisputed super middleweight championship from Alvarez, it seems the post-Mayweather-Pacquiao era might now have its new standard bearer.

Despite all narratives regarding size disparities and the extensive pre-fight coverage surrounding various sideshows—ranging from UFC CEO Dana White’s promotional debut to the presence of Netflix, Allegiant Stadium, and financier Turki Alalshikh—Crawford’s astonishing performance will undoubtedly dominate memories from this weekend.

“WE DID IT BABY” #CaneloCrawford 📸: @terencecrawford pic.twitter.com/FJSeFSr53z — Netflix @netflix (September 14, 2025)

In the end, the only notable difference in size during the principal event, held before over 70,000 spectators—the first combat sports event in the NFL’s Raiders stadium—was not between the fighters but rather in Crawford’s relentless drive and the considerable gap in skill displayed by both fighters, who will soon be Hall of Famers.

Two years prior, Crawford started to get recognition as an all-time great at the age of 35 when he dominated fellow unbeaten Errol Spence Jr. to become the undisputed welterweight champion. A year later, he shifted weights to narrowly triumph over the awkward Israil Madrimov to secure a world title at junior middleweight.

Yet it was on Saturday, with just weeks shy of his 38th birthday and after a 13-month hiatus, that Crawford defied the norm for aging legends, risking his unbeaten record against Alvarez—despite many advantages favoring Alvarez—seeking huge legacy gain.

Crawford’s prowess was showcased as he absorbed Alvarez’s strongest punches without retreating and frequently engaged in fierce exchanges during critical moments, ultimately gaining the upper hand while exhibiting exceptional defense and adaptability. This performance crowned him the first male boxer in the four-belt era to win undisputed titles in three weight divisions.

As legendary journalist Larry Merchant aptly noted following a similar fight of significance: “We knew Terence Crawford was great; he’s even better than we thought.”

Not motivated by monetary gain, Crawford dedicated himself to further solidifying his legacy through strategic matchups, having found himself limited in opportunities during what we believed was his peak.

Like the greats before him, Crawford has proven it is possible to maintain greatness, even as age advances, showing he is arguably at his best in significant fights against Spence and Alvarez at 35 and 37 years old, respectively.

Ultimately, this wondrous display of boxing anaesthetized any criticisms of age, simply affirming Crawford’s ethos that true greatness flourishes under competitive pressure. His humble demeanor following the victory coupled with uncertainty regarding his future fights adds another layer to this sports narrative.

“It’s not really a surprise to me,” Crawford stated at the post-fight press conference. “It’s a surprise to y’all because you thought I couldn’t do it. For me, it wasn’t a surprise; I just needed the opportunity.”

The glaring physicality was realized during the weigh-in before the fight when observers noticed he held slight advantages in height and reach, something that contradicted the narrative of him being the lesser fighter initially expected.

In this pinnacle of boxing, Crawford adeptly handled Alvarez’s crisp shots, navigated tactical challenges, and clearly established the notion that he remains unparalleled in today’s boxing landscape. Ultimately, when asked what greatness meant to him after the fight, Crawford replied, “You’re looking at him.”

In the interview, he compared his achievements to Mayweather’s legendary status, emphasizing, “Floyd was the greatest of his era, and I’m the greatest of mine. There’s no need for comparison.”

This assertion solidified Crawford’s stance that no one currently rivals the greatness he embodies in boxing.