Teofimo Lopez: Terence Crawford’s win over Canelo puts him ‘easily’ in all-time top 10

On September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Terence Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) defied a significant weight climb to dethrone the undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs).

“Bud” won the bout by unanimous decision, and thus became a three-division undisputed champion and four-division lineal champion. Following this historic win, WBO super lightweight world champion spoke to the media, including Fight Hub TV, and revealed where Crawford’s win puts him among the all-time greats.

Terence Crawford dethrones Canelo in Las Vegas

It was a fight full of intrigue, with Canelo looking to close the gap on Crawford, who got into a groove early, moving well and picking his punches impressively.

The Mexican superstar landed the occasional hook, but “Bud” never looked in trouble. If anything, he seemed to grow in confidence, and his combinations were swift and telling.

He was controlling the distance well, often making Canelo miss as he slipped out of danger. Alvarez increased the pressure in the later rounds, but ‘Bud’ refused to retreat and began to sit down more on his punches as the fight entered the later rounds.

It ultimately went to the judges’ scorecards, who correctly saw Crawford as the winner by unanimous decision, with scores of 116-112 and 115-113 (x2).

Lopez reveals where victory places Terence Crawford among all-time greats

Following Crawford’s historic win over Canelo, Teofimo Lopez was asked where that win elevates Crawford in the all-time list:

“At least top 10. Top 10 or top 15, easily, you know? There’s guys that we may not know of or heard of, like Henry Armstrong. Simultaneously, he was three divisions, carrying all three weight divisions at the same time.”

Lopez was then asked whose win over Canelo was better. Crawford’s or Mayweather’s?

“It’s just different styles, different looks. But the punching, the output that he was giving Canelo, definitely gave him the win,” said Lopez.