After a legendary 42-fight career, Terence Crawford dropped a bombshell last month: he's hanging up the gloves. But here's the real shocker: when asked who hit him the hardest, Crawford didn't name his most famous opponent, Canelo Alvarez. Instead, he pointed to a lesser-known Lithuanian welterweight, Egidijus Kavaliauskas. This revelation raises eyebrows, especially considering Crawford's recent career-defining victory over Canelo, which cemented his legacy as the first three-weight undisputed champion in the four-belt era and only the second in boxing history.
Crawford's triumph over Canelo in the super-middleweight division is even more remarkable when you consider his journey. He began his career as a lightweight, making his rise through multiple weight classes one of the most impressive feats in modern boxing. Yet, despite facing the power-punching Canelo, Crawford insists Kavaliauskas packed a harder punch. In his post-fight interview, Crawford candidly stated, 'Mean Machine [Kavaliauskas] hit harder than Canelo, to be honest.'
And this is the part most people miss: Kavaliauskas faced Crawford in 2019 during his first world title challenge. While Crawford stopped him in the ninth round, Kavaliauskas holds a unique distinction—he's the only fighter to have sent Crawford to the canvas, even though the referee ruled it a slip. Many believe it should have been called a knockdown, adding a layer of controversy to their bout.
Kavaliauskas, now 37, has faced setbacks since, losing to Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Souleymane Cissokho. However, he recently rebounded with a controversial win over Samuel Molina on home soil, claiming the EBU European welterweight title and climbing to #7 in the WBC 147lb rankings.
Crawford's retirement and his unexpected nod to Kavaliauskas leave us with a thought-provoking question: Do we undervalue the impact of lesser-known fighters in shaping a champion's legacy? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
