In a twist that has the boxing world buzzing, undefeated superstar Terence “Bud” Crawford has fired back at Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s bold call-out following Crawford’s stunning unanimous decision victory over Canelo Alvarez on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium. The fight, which saw Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) move up two weight classes to dethrone Alvarez and become the undisputed super middleweight champion, drew immediate praise—and a challenge—from the retired legend Mayweather, who bet $50,000 on Crawford and pocketed $124,000.
Mayweather, 50-0 (27 KOs) and widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers ever, didn’t mince words in a post-fight interview. Declaring Crawford the current pound-for-pound No. 1, he hinted at a potential comeback showdown: “As of right now, I have to put Terence Crawford as number one.” But the call-out escalated when Mayweather emphasized Crawford’s dominance, fueling speculation about a dream match between the eras’ top talents.
The drama intensified amid Alvarez’s post-fight comments, where the Mexican icon—defeated by Mayweather in 2013—claimed Crawford was “way better” than Floyd, citing his experience against both. This drew fire from Mayweather’s camp, with uncle Jeff Mayweather dismissing it as a face-saving tactic: “Floyd at that time versus Canelo was in total confidence. His skill set, his IQ… he was just a complete fighter that night.”
Crawford, ever the class act, responded respectfully in an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, downplaying direct comparisons while acknowledging Mayweather’s legacy: “Floyd was the greatest of his era. I’m the greatest in my era. It ain’t no need to compare me to Floyd or Floyd to me.” He added context to Alvarez’s praise: “[Canelo] was in the ring with both of us. People can say what they want, but he’s actually been in the ring with both of us.”
Fans and analysts are divided. Promoter Eddie Hearn called Crawford “phenomenal” but questioned his resume’s depth, while trainer Greg Hackett favored Mayweather’s defense. Social media exploded with #CrawfordVsMayweather trending, as debates rage over a hypothetical clash.
As Crawford eyes his next move—potentially a rematch with Alvarez or new challenges—Mayweather’s call-out keeps the fire alive. Will “Money” unretire for one last payday? Boxing holds its breath.
