Terence Crawford believes he ranks as an all-time great if he can jump up in weight and dethrone Canelo Alvarez.
Crawford has already achieved it all in the boxing ring, winning world titles in four weight classes by the age of 37, including the undisputed crown at super-lightweight and welterweight.
He has faced a resume of tough opponents including Kell Brook, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter and Errol Spence Jr.
JUST IN: “That’s The Reality”: Terence Crawford Reveals Exact Weight Details For Canelo Alvarez Fight
But the biggest examination of his ring credentials is set to come this year as he is set to touch gloves with fellow pound-for-pound great Alvarez.
The pair will meet in a blockbuster clash in front of over 60,000 fans in Las Vegas in September, with the fight to take place for Alvarez’s 168lbs belts if he beats William Scull in May.
Crawford is set to put on 14lbs from his previous fighting weight where he took on and beat Israil Madrimov at 154lbs in September.
It will be a seismic task to dethrone the naturally bigger Mexican, but if he successfully does so, he can become a five-weight world champion.
It would see him match boxing legend Floyd Mayweather’s total record of becoming a five-weight world champion in his stellar fifty-fight undefeated career.
And Crawford believes reaching that feat and winning the bout, will see him ranked as a one of the best fighters of all-time.
He said on The Cigar Talk podcast: “Yeah I think I would definitely rank my resume in the top five.
“I’m really moving up three weight classes in all reality, and fighting arguably one of the best Mexicans to ever fight.
“It’s at his weight, no rehydration clause, I am just fighting the guy at his best.
“My body of work that I have put together, I feel like I can compete with anybody at any era.
“If I win this fight, it will solidify myself as an all-time great because there isn’t many fighters who have done what I did.
“Coming from 135lbs to 168lbs it is crazy.”
Crawford will have put on a total of 33lbs of fighting weight during his stellar career.
Mayweather fought from 130lbs to 154lbs, a total pile on of 24lbs, which could see the new American on the block make a frightening leap.
Of course it could dramatically backfire given Crawford could feasibly lose, given it will be his debut at the higher weight.
It is still a difficult fight to pick the winner, imposing an intriguing clash of styles on fight night.
But ex-world champion Johnny Nelson doesn’t expect Crawford to be able to bridge the gap.
He told talkSPORT.com: “Yeah I think the weight and size will play a big impact in the fight.
“I think Canelo will simply be too big and too strong for him if Crawford puts on the weight.
“I think Canelo is a really clever fighter, but I’m not sure he was the fighter he once was five or six years ago.
“I think that Canelo beats Crawford to be honest, if not stops him because of that gulf in size.
“But whatever happens it is going to be a great fight, we are getting the fights between big name A and big name B.
“It is giving fight fans the opportunity for fight fans to think of dream fights and then see them become reality.”
