Terence Crawford is still not convinced that Errol Spence Jr.`s accomplishments to date warrant an induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Each year, Canastota hosts the induction of new boxing icons. The class of 2025 is set to include legendary figures such as Manny Pacquiao, Vinny Paz, former middleweight and super-middleweight champion Michael Nunn, as well as world champions Yessica Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis, and Mary Jo Sanders.
Crawford, boasting a record of 41 wins and no losses with 31 knockouts, solidified his own Hall of Fame prospects on July 29, 2023. On that day, he defeated Spence to become the undisputed welterweight champion. This victory marked the second time “Bud” Crawford achieved undisputed status across weight divisions, having previously unified all belts at super-lightweight against Julius Indongo in July 2017. Since his first world title at lightweight in 2014, Crawford has demonstrated excellence in multiple weight classes. Last August, he moved up to super-welterweight and claimed the WBA world title by defeating Israil Madrimov. At 37 years old, Crawford is expected to return to the ring this September, with a potential move to super-middleweight to challenge Canelo Alvarez – provided Alvarez defeats William Scull on May 3 and becomes a two-time undisputed champion.
Meanwhile, Errol Spence Jr. has not fought since Crawford stopped him in the ninth round of their highly anticipated match at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Despite being considered an evenly matched fight, Crawford dominated, knocking Spence down three times in a performance that defined his career. Before this loss, Spence, with a record of 28 wins, 1 loss, and 22 knockouts, held three welterweight world titles and had an impressive record including wins over Kell Brook, Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia, and Yordenis Ugas.
During an episode of Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru & Henry, Crawford shared his thoughts on Spence, acknowledging that he was a fan before their rivalry and remains so.
“Once I moved to the same weight class as Spence, people started saying I wasn’t fighting anyone of note. They tried to diminish my achievements to elevate him, but I realized that’s not going to work because I could retire today and be in the Hall of Fame. He couldn`t. Everything I’ve accomplished, he’s still working towards.”
Co-host Kamaru Usman, a former UFC champion, asked Crawford if he believes Spence will make the Hall of Fame. “Right now? No, how?” Crawford responded. Fellow host and former UFC champion Henry Cejudo agreed as Crawford further explained, “He’s mainly competed in one division, he unified titles – he had three – but he wasn’t undisputed. People called him a ‘weight bully’. He beat Kell Brook after Brook was coming off a loss and an eye injury, he beat Shawn Porter… I don’t want to sound like I’m hating, but honestly, I don’t know if he gets into the Hall of Fame based on his current achievements.”
