“Was Bigger Than Any of the Others”: With Naoya Inoue in the Running, Terence Crawford Justifies Why He Is 2023 Fighter of the Year Despite Fighting Only Once

In the high-stakes world of boxing, a single fight can eclipse an entire year’s achievements. But can it really? Terence Crawford, with his latest social media salvo, has shown that he thinks so. He claims the title of 2023’s Fighter of the Year. This assertion hinges on just one fight. But not any ordinary bout – a clash with Errol Spence Jr.

His argument? The magnitude of this one match trumps all else. Intriguingly, he’s up against Naoya Inoue, a consistent powerhouse. Inoue’s series of victories stands tall, but Crawford insists his lone battle outweighs them. This unusual stance raises eyebrows. Can one spectacular victory indeed outshine a year of triumphs?

Terence Crawford vs. Inoue in the battle for boxing supremacy

Terence Crawford’s Twitter proclamation cuts through the usual boxing rhetoric with precision. “I’m the only fighter to beat a top five pound for pound fighter this year and the way I beat him was unmatched,” he asserts. This single victory over Errol Spence Jr. wasn’t just a win; it was a showcase of boxing mastery, a blend of strategy, skill, and sheer power that Crawford believes sets him apart in 2023.

Meanwhile, Naoya Inoue, the Japanese boxing sensation, paints a different picture of dominance. His year was marked by not one, but multiple victories, each echoing his formidable presence in the ring. Among these, his knockout of Marlon Tapales stands out, a testament to his unyielding prowess and his ability to consistently outperform his opponents.

Crawford, however, holds firm to his belief. His tweet further elaborates, “2023 Fighter Of The Year Is Me. Some might say but I only fought 1 time but that 1 fight was bigger than any of the others.” Here, he underscores the magnitude of his singular fight, a battle that in his eyes, surpasses Inoue’s series of triumphs.

Antonio Tarver also gave his views on why he think Inoue isn’t on Crawford’s level.

Questioning Inoue’s record against Crawford’s dominance

Antonio Tarver, the former light-heavyweight champion, expressed skepticism about Naoya Inoue’s ranking as the pound-for-pound best, especially above Terence Crawford. Tarver, with an illustrious career and 31 wins, questions the caliber of Inoue’s opponents. In his view, the lower-weight divisions, where Inoue has triumphed, lack the heavyweight names that define boxing’s glamour divisions.

Tarver’s tweet challenges the boxing community: “How many P4P champions has [Inoue] defeated? He ain’t fought a top fighter…” He firmly places Crawford at the top until proven otherwise, urging to recognize Inoue’s prowess based on his fights, not just pound-for-pound discussions. This critique adds another layer to the debate on who truly deserves the title of the best fighter in the world.

Also Read: “Great Year for Boxing”’ Fans Come Together to Reflect on All the Fights That Took Place in 2023

Ultimately, the decision hinges on what fans and critics value more: the sheer impact of one monumental victory or the steady climb of repeated triumphs.So, we turn to you, the readers: In the ring of public opinion, who do you crown as the 2023 Fighter of the Year, and why?

Watch this story: Terence Crawford’s Journey to the Boxing Pinnacle