Terence Crawford Reveals the True Reasons Behind His Sustained Dominance Despite Inactivity

Terence Crawford says the reason he hasn’t been affected by his inactivity over the last five years is a combination of things:

1. Blessed
2. Staying in the gym
3. Rest

Bud’s Longevity Secret

The three-time undisputed champion Terence has been fighting once a year since 2020, yet hasn’t shown any deterioration in his game. Fans are curious to know what his secret is to staying vital at the top of the game.

If you look at Crawford’s record in the last five years, the answer is right there. He’s not fought the killers who would be a threat to beating him or wearing him down. That’s the key. Fight opposition that is on their last legs, worn out from long careers, car crashes, never the best to begin with.

Crawford’s Strategic Opponents

– Israil Madrimov: 2024
– Errol Spence: 2023
– David Avanesyan: 2022
– Shawn Porter: 2021
– Kell Brook: 2020

Spence, Porter, and Brook were high-level fighters in their primes. But when Crawford fought them, they were all on the downside of their careers. So, for Crawford to still look good despite fighting once a year, the reason is obvious. He’s not been fighting the A-level or elite-level opposition.

The best of that bunch that Crawford has fought in the last five years is Madrimov, and he came close to losing to him. Indeed, many boxing fans had Madrimov winning. I watched the fight and I had Madrimov winning 9-3. He couldn’t miss with his GGG-esque right hand, and snapping Crawford’s head back all night with those shots.

Why Crawford Stays Fresh

“I guess I’m blessed. Staying in the gym, saying around the gym, and a lot of fighters need that rest, especially when you go through brutal camps like I do. You’re body needs that rest,” said Terence Crawford to Ring Magazine when asked why he’s been unaffected by his inactivity in the last five years.

Avoiding Top Boxing Contenders

Crawford could have easily fought two or three times a year over the last five years and is still fighting at the same level. Of course, the chances are high that he’d have lost numerous times if he had fought the apex predators at 147 and 154. But if he were fighting exclusively the kind of opposition he’s been facing in the last five years, he’d still be unbeaten. He knows that. If you’re old guys past their prime, like Porter, Brook, or a car-crash-wrecked Spence, you’re going to win.

I just wish Turki Alalshikh had put Crawford’s feet to the fire just once, insisting on him fighting ‘The Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez to show whether he’s deserving of getting the Canelo fight. Is that asking too much?

“I think going from one camp to another camp, that breaks your body down. And then you see these fighters that look good in one fight, and then in the next fight, it’s like night and day. You’re like, ‘Damn, what’s going on with this fighter?’ It’s because their body is tired and worn down,” said Crawford.