A bold statement from a former opponent has reignited the debate: is boxing truly a corrupt sport?
On this fateful day in 2014, Terence Crawford delivered a performance that solidified his reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Crawford's victory over Canelo Alvarez in September, earning him the undisputed super middleweight titles, sparked a heated discussion about his place in the pound-for-pound rankings. Some have long believed that Crawford is the current king, arguing that he simply needed the opportunity to face bigger names and prove his dominance.
Crawford's star continued to rise with impressive wins over Shawn Porter and Errol Spence Jr., but doubts lingered, even a decade ago. Before facing Manny Pacquiao, Crawford capped off his lightweight division run with a dominant performance against Ray Beltran.
Despite Crawford's perfect 24-0 record, his opponent, Ray Beltran, remained skeptical of the hype surrounding 'Bud'. In a revealing interview with Boxing News, Beltran admitted that while Crawford was a skilled fighter, he didn't consider him the best in the lightweight division at the time. Beltran's comments added fuel to the fire, especially when he claimed, "We all know boxing is corrupt." He questioned the fairness of his previous fight with Ricky Burns, a common opponent they both faced.
When comparing his experience to Crawford's, Beltran said, "He has his business and team backing him; they wouldn't allow him to be robbed." Beltran's words hinted at a deeper issue within the sport. The fight between Crawford and Beltran at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska, turned into a one-sided clinic, with Crawford dominating all 12 rounds according to two judges.
Crawford's near-perfect victory over Beltran earned him his first 'Fighter of the Year' awards, with ESPN and the Boxing Writers Association of America praising his performance. But here's where it gets controversial: in 2014, The Ring awarded their title to Sergey Kovalev, who held multiple light heavyweight championships. So, does Crawford's win over Canelo Alvarez in 2025, after jumping up two weight classes, make him the undeniable fighter of the year? Who else is in the running for this prestigious title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. The debate rages on, and the sport's complexities continue to spark intriguing discussions.
