Fansided

Who will be named fighter of the decade for the 2010s?

By Matthew Saljanin

World Boxing Council champion Floyd Mayweather celebrates after beating and Robert Guerrero at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 4, 2013. Mayweather extended his perfect record to 44 victories, beating Robert Guerrero by unanimous decision in their welterweight title fight. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read JOHN GURZINSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
World Boxing Council champion Floyd Mayweather celebrates after beating and Robert Guerrero at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 4, 2013. Mayweather extended his perfect record to 44 victories, beating Robert Guerrero by unanimous decision in their welterweight title fight. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read JOHN GURZINSKI/AFP/Getty Images) /
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OMAHA, NE – OCTOBER 13:Jose Benavidez (red/yellow trunks) and Bud Crawford (black/pink trunks) exchange blows during their match at at CHI Health Center on October 13, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Crawford won via TKO in the 12th round.. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE – OCTOBER 13:Jose Benavidez (red/yellow trunks) and Bud Crawford (black/pink trunks) exchange blows during their match at at CHI Health Center on October 13, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. Crawford won via TKO in the 12th round.. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images) /

Terrence Crawford

Record in decade: 24-0, 17 KOs (will fight Amir Khan on April 20)

Terrence Crawford is universally recognized as one of the three best fighters in the world, pound-for-pound. He is incredibly skilled and can outbox anyone, but does not shy away from trading bombs. He also has a mean streak in him, and it often looks as though he wants to hurt his opponent, not just beat them.

While his resume may not have the biggest names, he has become champion at every weight class he has fought in, and was even able to become undisputed champion at junior welterweight.

The lack of big names on his resume is not his fault; he fought everyone he could at 140 lbs. but the division just was not filled with big names.

Due to the current state of boxing politics, he is currently stuck with slim pickings at welterweight. The big names are aligned with PBC, and it will be hard to make a fight with any of those fighters unless the money is right.

It’s not to say all of his wins are against no-names. His victories over Ricky Burns, Yuriorkis Gamboa and Viktor Postol are all highly-rated in the boxing community, but they aren’t guys that casual fans will bring up in conversation.

Crawford is one of those guys who is so good that he still ranks in the top three in the world currently, even without big names on his record. He fought everyone he could, and dominated. And if you are a fan who believes in the eye test, then he passes with flying colors. He is a special fighter.

It isn’t right to ridicule a fighter for not having big name fighters on their resume if they still fought the best guys available. Just because a fighter isn’t popular, does not mean they are a bad fighter.

Additionally, becoming undisputed champion can not be understated. It is a very impressive accomplishment, especially given today’s politics in the sport.

Hopefully Bob Arum and Al Haymon can play nice, and make some great fights for the fans, namely Terrence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr.

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