Crawford and Spence Jr faced off in a long-awaited showdown in 2023. Fans expected a close fight between the two undefeated welterweight champions. Spence held the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, while Crawford had the WBO belt and aimed to become undisputed in his second weight class.
The fight didn't go as many predicted. Crawford dominated Spence, dropping him multiple times on his way to a stoppage victory. Now, nearly two years later, Crawford opened up about how he felt Spence's power during their clash.
"After the second round, when I hurt him, I felt as if he couldn't handle my power like I could handle his. I remember him throwing an overhand looping left, and he caught me right on the button, I think it was the first or the second round, and I was just like, 'This is it? Okay. This is gonna be a long night for him.'"
Crawford's assessment suggests he found Spence's punches less threatening than expected, giving him confidence to push forward aggressively.
Since their fight, Crawford has stayed busy. He moved up to super-welterweight and beat Israil Madrimov for the WBA title. He's now set to face Canelo Alvarez at 168lbs in September, aiming for yet another world title in a new weight class.
Spence, on the other hand, hasn't fought since losing to Crawford. He's planning his return, with a few options on the table. One possibility is a title shot at welterweight against Mario Barrios. Another option is moving up to a higher weight division.
Spence recently addressed his comeback plans on social media. He tweeted on January 17, 2025: "I'll be back when IM ready". This statement suggests Spence is taking his time to ensure he's fully prepared for his return to the ring.
As Spence works towards his comeback, Crawford's comments about their fight add another layer to the story. They show how Crawford's confidence grew during their matchup, ultimately leading to his dominant performance.