He's had an amazing career in regards to achievements. But I still feel his resume is lacking somewhat in regards to high profile opponents considering how much talent he had. Fair play to Crawford for really stepping up in his final few fights and it's a good way to bow out on especially at age 38. But for me he's not quite up there with some of the past P4P greats.
To be fair not sure about anyone else but Im not interested the first went exactly how I saw it going
Congratulations on a fine career. I know this retirement by Crawford wasn't totally unexpected, but now that it's here, there just seems to be a massive hole in boxing right now when it comes to rising stars. And Crawford took a long time to become really well-known. Most can't take as long as he did. For many decades, boxers seemed to have a pretty reliable career arch where they'd turn pro and, especially for Olympians, they'd get into title contention within three years, win a belt in their fourth or fifth year (if they were going to win one), and maybe be a factor in a division for four or five years. By that point, the next wave of fighters would have turned pro, become contenders by year four or five, and were the ones who knocked the champs off. It wasn't always perfect, but there was sort of a pattern you could kind of set a watch to. Now, guys like Fabio Wardley are considered young, and it took him eight years to win an "interim" belt. He hasn't made a defense yet. But there's no assortment of rising contenders on the way up to take him on. Same with most divisions, as well. I've followed boxing since the 1970s. It has highs and lows. It really feels like we're in the midst of a deep dive to one of those lows as the name fighters aren't even losing ... they're just aging out because there's no one coming out of the gates to topple them.
LMFAAOOO!!! Loma a better resume than Crawford? Just... wow. What "risks" BTW? Loma's career-defining win was over a 122-pounder, genius.
Don’t know why he wouldn’t stick around for another career high payday against Canelo. But he’s right — he’s got zero to prove. One of the P4P kings of his era, unquestionably. If he looked at his bank account and was like “yep, that’ll do it”, more power to him. Retiring on top, with his health intact, no need to ever work or fight again, at age 38? ****ing A. What a run. Legend.
Lower the weight classes you watch. What Inoue has done (and how he’ll probably finish the year) is insane. And Bam is about to move up to 118 and wreck the division 2-3 fights a year at a time. and side note, Wardley is a wild situation. He’s got mid-level gatekeeper skills with literally everything else maxed out. Can he get through enough defenses to land an Usyk fight? When has a weird situation like this ever occurred where a fighter’s skills are, mostly due to circumstance, so much below his physical and intangible gifts? Time machine hypo — a 12 year old Wardley walks into Emmanuel Steward’s gym. What would he be now at age 30?
Loma fought Salido in his 2nd pro fight so he took a huge risk right off the bat. He never fought in his home country. When he moved up in weight he was a lot smaller than most of his opponents. Your shocked reaction is a bit ridiculous even if you think Crawford is better it isn't by some landslide.
Just realized that Crawford and Loma have retired this year. Seems like we might see both of them inducted to the IBHOF within the same year since they’re clearly first ballot HOF worthy.
fantastic fighter. leaves his print all over the record books. seems like a stand up dude. and was always a pro with the business. i wish him well and thank him for the thrills.