Terence Crawford, one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, has named Floyd Mayweather and Roy Jones Jr. as his main boxing inspirations. Crawford shared this information during a recent fan interaction in Sydney, Australia.
The undisputed welterweight champion opened up about the fighters who influenced his career when a fan asked him about the boxers he admired growing up. Crawford, known for his slick movement and killer instinct in the ring, has achieved world titles in four different weight classes and stands undefeated with 41 wins, including 31 knockouts.
Crawford said:
"Roy Jones Jr. and Floyd Mayweather"
He went on to explain his admiration for Roy Jones Jr., citing several shared interests:
"I liked Roy because we had so much in common - he liked fishing, I love fishing; he loved dogs, I love dogs; he loved basketball, and so do I. I really relate to him, so Roy has always been, and will always be, my favorite fighter."
When it came to Mayweather, Crawford focused on his professional qualities:
"Floyd Mayweather's work ethic and what he did inside the ring - not outside of it - that's what made him special to me."
Crawford's respect for these boxing legends shows that even top-tier fighters have their own sources of inspiration in the sport. The Omaha native admitted he never had a true boxing idol, but these two stood out as major influences on his career.
Crawford's next challenge looms large on the horizon. He's set to face Canelo Álvarez on September 13 for the undisputed super middleweight crown. This bout will test all the skills and inspiration Crawford has gathered throughout his career as he aims to add another historic achievement to his already impressive resume.
