Terence Crawford's record is spotless in part because his work ethic has been unmatched since high school.
Undefeated 37-0, Crawford held world championships in three weight classes, including the WBO welterweight title since 2018. As a world light welterweight champion, he is also one of only five boxers in history to have won all four major world titles (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO) at the same time. In 2014 he was named "Fighter of the Year" by the Boxing Writers Association of America and in 2014 and 2017 by ESPN.
Crawford, who currently ranks second behind Canelo Alvarez as pound-for-pound best in the world, is known for his combination of hand speed and punching power, along with an uncanny ability to strike effectively from both the orthodox and southpaw.
His near-flawless skills can be traced back to early morning workouts during high school. While his classmates were still pressing the snooze button, Crawford said he would meet up with some of Florida's best fighters before sunrise.
“I wasn't just talking about the best being the best,” says Crawford. “I woke up in front of school at 4am every day of my life to exercise and eat right. I would go to Miami and train with professional athletes and be their sparring partner. "
Outside the ring, the champion has emerged as the co-founder and CEO of. developed into a successful entrepreneur Pixel bird, a company that helps athletes pick up their digital image. Crawford's philanthropic endeavors include co-founding the B&B Boxing Academy, which helps individuals at risk reach their full potential in and outside of the sport. It is an important project for him to help not only young people but also athletes whose careers are about to end to a long-term career after the fight.
"Some great fighters have never been taught to plan life after boxing," says Crawford. “They were never taught to invest and plan when they retired so they wouldn't be broke in five years, especially after leading a high-priced lifestyle as a professional. I would tell them to have fun but be smart and make wise decisions and save. Learn to invest and surround yourself with people you can trust. "
w at the age of 33 and with a highly anticipated title fight against Shawn Porter slated for vember 20th in Las Vegas, Bud keeps finding ways to keep himself motivated to keep fighting. His family, he says, will always remain the main reason to keep outdoing yourself, but as he explains in this week's winning strategy, it can also be a mix of adrenaline and calm - including a love of yoga - as a starting point to generate Take place.
“I've never been satisfied with where I've been, even though I feel like I have a career in the Hall of Fame,” he says. "I look at my children now and say they are the reason I kept pushing forward."
Courtesy Terrance Crawford
Emotional salvation
The ability to deal with your emotions can play a huge role in anything you do in life. And it can be hard because sometimes they can bring out the best in you and make you do things that you normally wouldn't do if you were calm. But if you can keep your emotions under control 99% of the time, it will play in your best interest.
I have to admit that I let my emotions overwhelm me in the ring, most recently in the fight against Egidijus Kavaliauskas (2019). After he caught me with a good shot early on, I completely neglected the game plan and decided to fight fire with fire instead. My coaches certainly didn't like that side of me, but I felt like I became a different person that night - I wanted to prove something.
Even though I came out the winner (a TKO in the 9th round), it wasn't my best fight. I felt like I could have made it easier, but instead made it harder than necessary. Although my coaches emphasized that I was sticking to the game plan, I just ignored it that evening. Since that fight, I've learned the importance of keeping my emotions intact.
Crux of the matter
In boxing it is very important to have heart, especially against an opponent who is more skilled but has a weaker work ethic. You can have a fighter of all the talents in the world, but once he's hit by a big shot everything goes out the window and he's now in survival mode.
Sometimes you look at someone with tremendous talent who is a perfect match for an opponent in a place that prefers them and you never know what might happen. This one time, he can get a first-round knockout for a title. But I'm not so sure I'll climb the ladder without a real regime. You have to be engaged and engaged. You have to take your job seriously to be world champion in the ring because you can meet a person who is determined and strong-willed. He may not be as capable, but he has heart and is in great shape and he will tire you and beat you in a fight you shouldn't have lost because you weren't prepared.
Do what is good for you
I follow a regular exercise program, but it changes depending on the level and caliber of the fighter I am preparing for next. We wake up and go, go home, have breakfast and rest before going to the gym. Then we come home, have dinner, rest again, then maybe get up and do another workout. And the next day we do everything again, but maybe in a different way, for example swimming instead of running. We are always looking for better and smarter ways to prepare for our next fight.
One of my favorites now is yoga - I've been doing it since around 2013. I've always had a problem with stretching - I've never enjoyed it. So let's find a way to stretch that turns it into a workout. We started doing yoga and the benefits were amazing. Is there a movement that stands out for fighters? , they are all important in helping you breathe. It's so important to go into an uphill battle. You need to know when to breathe, when to contract, when to breathe in and out, and how to relax when the pressure comes on you. Think of it like swimming: you need to know when to surface and how to breathe and then come back underwater. These breathing exercises will help you in the ring because when you throw punches you breathe, when you bring them back you breathe in.
Always play like a champion
Courtesy Terrance Crawford
Of all the great fighters out there, I always feel like I am the best. I'm always ready to risk my record to prove it. So I just always carried this chip on my shoulder, even when I was a little kid and believed that I was always better than the other no matter what sport it was. In basketball, I always wanted to guard the best, I wanted to wrestle the best and I wanted to avoid better fighters because when I grow up and compete against the best, I'll get better.
Sure, there have been better people than me in certain sports, but I've always mastered my own. Five on five, they can win the game, but I'll beat them one on one because that's just my heart, my determination to win, my will, uh, not let the next man beat me. You have a few people who are better than me and maybe win the game, but I'll still keep up and whatever I do. And this is how the competition should be approached.
To hand over knowledge
I always tell children that anything is possible if you want it badly enough. Many young children growing up in poverty in these neighborhoods feel that they have no hope because of the situation in which they find themselves. I tell them to find their why, and it takes faith, motivation and determination.
Many people waste time talking about it but don't put work or action behind the things they say. I always encourage people, if you want to do something, get out there and do it no matter what people tell you. Study to the fullest and learn as much as you can about what you want to achieve.
Put all of your time and energy into this one thing you really love and just do it - I did. My family members always told me to go to college and have a plan B in case boxing didn't work, but I always told them that this is my dream - to become world champion and I did. I've made it a reality, and I believe if a person manifests himself to do what he really wanted in his heart, he can achieve anything.
