Terence Crawford didn’t waste time after touching down in Australia. Within hours, he predicted how a fight with Tim Tszyu would’ve ended (“I feel I would’ve beat him”), admitted he didn’t know Tszyu was Kostya’s son, and declared his upcoming $200 million showdown with Canelo Alvarez could break every record in the book — including MayPac’s.
In a sit-down with Fox Sports Australia, Crawford spoke candidly about legacy, the Tszyus, piracy, and who he believes is truly the greatest of all time — and spoiler: it isn’t himself.
When asked how a fight with Tim would’ve gone?
“I feel I would’ve beat him,” Crawford said flatly. “It’s boxing so you never know. But of course, I’m going to have confidence in my ability.”
“I actually didn’t know Tim was his son at first.”
Crawford confirmed Tim Tszyu had been on his radar before the end of 2023, when Tszyu still held the WBO super welterweight title. But he also revealed he hadn’t made the family connection until much later.
“I actually didn’t know Tim was his son at first,” Crawford admitted. “It all went over my head. I guess, because you never see Kostya in the corner or anything like that.”
“But then when Tim started fighting in the United States, that’s when people started talking about that being his father…”
And when it comes to Kostya Tszyu himself?
“Kostya Tszyu, he was a great fighter. Great puncher. I remember watching his fight against Zab Judah. And fights on his way up to that one … he’s someone who has always been really well respected in the sport of boxing.”
The two even crossed paths recently:
“And Kostya and I, we met up at a boxing event recently. It was in Dubai I think, and we got a photograph together.”
“If it catches fire… it could definitely surpass Mayweather-Pacquiao.”
Looking ahead, Crawford confirmed his fight with Canelo Alvarez is set for Las Vegas this September, and says the stakes couldn’t be higher — or more historic.
“I feel if it catches fire, gets the support of the fans it could definitely do the big numbers required to surpass the great Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.”
Then, with a grin, he added:
“It just depends on how many people want to steal it with piracy.”
Should he win, Crawford would become the first male fighter in the four-belt era to become undisputed in three weight classes.
“To get my dues would be a beautiful thing.”
Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has suggested a win over Canelo would elevate Crawford above even Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson. Crawford didn’t argue — but stayed grounded.
“It makes me feel good because I’ve been working hard in this sport for a long time,” he said. “So to get my dues would be a beautiful thing.”
Asked who he considers the greatest of all time?
“Muhammad Ali,” Crawford answered without pause.
“I know a lot of people have got Sugar Ray Robinson but obviously I haven’t seen much of him, just because of how far back it was that he fought. I do know however that those who did see him fight say he’s the greatest of all time. But for me, it’s Muhammad Ali.”
“Not only his successes in the ring but what he stood for. Just his stance on human rights, standing up for his people … there aren’t many people who do that. Him doing all those things that he did, going to jail because he didn’t want to fight people who weren’t doing any harm to him … Muhammad Ali was a stand up guy.”
“I’m good … ready for whatever people throw in front of me.”
Crawford began his Australian tour in Queensland and will continue through Melbourne and Sydney. He shrugged off any suggestion of jet lag.
“I’m good … ready for whatever people throw in front of me.”
With Opetaia, Paro, Kambosos, Wilson, and Tszyu all stepping into big fights between now and July, Crawford’s timing is fitting — and his presence a warning shot to every big name in the game.
Because when asked to size up his chances in any division, Crawford doesn’t spin it.
“I feel I would’ve beat him.”
Last Updated on 05/26/2025
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