Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr has stirred debate by claiming Terence Crawford has surpassed Floyd Mayweather in terms of ambition and willingness to take risks.
Mayweather retired unbeaten at 50-0 after defeating Conor McGregor in 2017 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive fighters of all time. But Jones argued that while Mayweather was technically brilliant, he often avoided the toughest challenges available.
“To me, [Crawford] is, because he challenges himself,” Jones said. “Floyd’s one of the best ever — slick, sharp, and smart — but he never really challenged himself. Crawford does.”
Crawford, who became a three-division undisputed champion after outpointing Canelo Álvarez in September, has been lauded for testing himself across multiple weight classes. His perfect 42-0 record has sparked comparisons with Mayweather’s flawless career.
Still, many fans disagree with Jones’s assessment, pointing to Mayweather’s victories over legends such as Canelo Álvarez, Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Márquez, and Oscar De La Hoya.
Now 48, Mayweather continues to draw headlines with exhibition bouts and is set to face Mike Tyson in 2026 — a spectacle that will see “The Best Ever” share the ring with the 59-year-old heavyweight icon.
