Did you know that a boxing legend has weighed in on Conor McGregor's boxing debut? Terence Crawford, one of the best boxers of our time, has some surprising praise for McGregor's performance against Floyd Mayweather.
Crawford, who recently retired from the sport after an impressive career, including defeating Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed in a third weight class, shared his thoughts during a conversation with streamer Adin Ross. He specifically addressed the comparison between novice boxers and established world champions.
Let's rewind: McGregor stepped into the boxing ring in August 2017 to face the undefeated Floyd Mayweather. While McGregor was ultimately stopped in the tenth round, Crawford believes his performance was better than many realize.
But here's where it gets controversial... Crawford contrasted McGregor's showing with Jake Paul's recent fight against Anthony Joshua. Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, faced Joshua in December and, despite being knocked out, received some praise for lasting six rounds. However, Crawford felt McGregor fared better against Mayweather, even though he was stopped earlier.
"McGregor actually did real good, to me, he did real good against Floyd when they was boxing," Crawford stated. "He did better than I thought he would do. He did better than Jake Paul did against Anthony Joshua. And he landed some good shots on Floyd. So, I have to say he did pretty good, he did better than I thought he would."
And this is the part most people miss... Crawford's perspective highlights the nuances of boxing and the challenges faced by those stepping into the ring against elite-level competition.
What do you think? Do you agree with Crawford's assessment of McGregor's performance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
What's next for McGregor? While McGregor has expressed interest in boxing again, his current focus is on MMA. He hasn't fought since breaking his leg in a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. 'Notorious' aims to return to the Octagon at the UFC White House card next June, with Michael Chandler as a potential opponent. The details of his comeback will be revealed as UFC CEO Dana White starts planning the event in February.
