Terence Crawford ready to become next superstar in boxing

2
873

Terence Crawford2014 “Fighter of the Year” Terence Crawford (26-0) scored a dominant sixth-round stoppage over WBO No. 5 rated junior welterweight contender Thomas Dulorme (22-2) in April to claim the vacant WBO junior welterweight title.

Once the sport’s top PPV attractions, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao, retire from the sport, many observers are looking towards the 27-year old Crawford as the guy to pick up the tab and become the face of the sport.

While Crawford, a humble and gracious man by nature, admits he has heard the talk, it is just talk to the two-division world champion. In an interview with FightHype, the champion added he can’t be distracted by what could happen and just continue to do what he does best, and that is perform at his best in the ring.

“I’ve heard it a lot, but it’s just talk,” said Crawford. “I need to continue doing what I have been doing and everything else that falls into place.”

Crawford had been in some big fights, but never to the magnitude that he witnessed on May 2nd when Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao finally squared off. While many fans were in shock and awe, Crawford was not and that isn’t to say the atmosphere was dull by any means, but he has gotten used to the atmosphere.

“I’m starting to get used to it,” said Crawford. “I like to be laid back, a stay away from the cameras type of guy, but it comes with the territory.”
Crawford was asked to name a few fighters he looked up to while he was growing up. There was a familiar name as his number one choice, followed by more fighters who were simply dominant in their prime and were performing just as hot as Crawford is right now.

“Floyd Mayweather Roy Jones Jr., Pernell Whitaker, ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley when he fought at 135, those are just a couple names out there.”

Speaking of Floyd Mayweather, his father, and trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., taught his son to throw punches before he could walk. Ingrained into a boxing family, it has made Mayweather one of the best ever. Likewise, Crawford sees himself as a natural in the sport.

“I came out of the womb fighting,” Crawford said. “I started boxing at seven. I got kicked out of the gym because I was a little knucklehead; he laughed.

“I went to football, basketball, and I wrestled. When I came back in 2001, that’s when I finally got focused.”