Crawford won close decisions against Israil Madrimov at 154 pounds and a 35-year-old Canelo Alvarez at 168. While both wins added to his résumé, neither performance suggested complete dominance, particularly against opponents who were either new to the weight class or past their physical prime.
Some observers also note that Crawford did not face younger, more active contenders at either weight. After one fight at junior middleweight, he moved on. At super middleweight, his lone appearance came against Canelo rather than against established contenders who had been campaigning in the division.
That context has shaped the response from figures within the sport. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya reacted on social media to claims that no one could compete with Crawford, expressing scepticism about the way his career is being framed.
“I can name 4, 5, 6 fighters that can compete and probably beat him. Please name 2 good fighters he beat,” De La Hoya said, as quoted by DAZN.
The debate centres less on whether Crawford was elite, and more on whether it is accurate to portray him as unbeatable across weight classes he briefly visited. Critics argue that Crawford did not have to face multiple contenders at 154 or 168 to earn title opportunities, something most fighters are required to do before reaching championship fights.
With Crawford now retired, the discussion around his legacy appears to be shifting. Rather than universal agreement about his invincibility, there is growing examination of who he faced late in his career — and who he did not.
