Terence Crawford Continues To Dominate Amid Naoya Inoue’s Rise
After a top pound for pound fighter scores a victory, the next question by fans and pundits is: who’s the sport’s number one fighter? That seems to be the case when it comes to unified welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (40-0, 31KO) and undisputed super bantamweight champion “The Monster” Naoya Inoue (27-0, 24KO).
The Monster is arguably #2 on most boxing’s pound for pound list. His name has remained firmly stamped underneath Bud’s for quite some time. Yet, his recent stoppage over hard-punching Mexican Luis “Pantera” Nery has raised the discussion that he should replace Crawford in the top spot.
This debate will more than likely carry on for the next couple of weeks as boxing is a sport of ‘what have you done lately’. In addition, Inoue’s getting up off the canvas to score a sensational sixth-round stoppage has the boxing community caught up in the moment.
Crawford hasn’t been in the ring since defeating former unified champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. in July 2023. So it’s understandable why this discussion has arisen within boxing circles.
WHO’S NUMBER ONE AND WHY!
When comparing their resumes, both fighters have an impressive list of names. They both hold the honor of becoming a two-division undisputed champion. So how does one go about making the distinction?
Inoue has had dominating performances against then-undefeated unified champion Stephon Fulton and two-time bantamweight champion Emmanuel Rodriguez. Yet, he came back in sensational fashion against Nery, and had an all-out war against Nonito Donaire in 2019. Nonetheless, Inoue deserves credit for his continues dominance and willingness to fight any of the top fighters.
Bud has been dominant since struggling against Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2014. As previously mentioned, he annihilated a top pound for pound fighter in Spence. In addition, he’s holds victories over other undefeated champions like Jeff Horn, Viktor Postol, and Julius Indogo. Another incredible feat worth mentioning is Crawford has stopped every opponent since 2016.
Crawford is undoubtedly aware of the pound for pound discussion and will more than likely look to turn in another dominating performance against undefeated WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on August 3.
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