Terence Crawford, usually calm and collected, has been provoked by a world champion boxer.
The 37-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, recently became a champion in his fourth division. Crawford beat the previously undefeated Israil Madrimov to add to his impressive record of 41 wins with 31 knockouts and no losses.
Many consider Crawford the pound-for-pound number one boxer. He's set his sights on a fight with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, which might be the only match-up he'll take. Crawford sees this potential bout as a chance to cement his legacy.
But another world champion has caught Crawford's attention. Super-lightweight titleholder Teofimo Lopez has been trying to get a fight with Crawford. Lopez has approached Crawford at events and used language that some people think is racist, though Lopez strongly denies this.
After a ringside run-in, Crawford said he'd "beat his ass outside the ring." Lopez brushed off the idea. But Crawford didn't stop there. In a recent Instagram Live, he made a violent threat to Lopez:
"If we was to fight right now on the streets I'd break your f***ing neck. And that's on my kids. You know it, I know it and the whole word know it. And I'm not talking about no fighting in the ring. If me and you was to fight outside I'll break your neck."
Crawford's aggressive response is unusual. He's known for being cool and respectful in boxing. But Lopez's actions have clearly gotten under his skin.
It's not likely that Lopez will get the fight he wants with Crawford. Many fighters want to challenge Crawford because of his status. For now, it seems Crawford's focus remains on the bigger fish - a potential showdown with Canelo Alvarez.
