Terence “Bud” Crawford: A Champion Who Redefined Boxing Greatness

When Terence “Bud” Crawford laces up his gloves, he carries more than a fighter’s instinct — he carries the pride of Omaha, Nebraska, and the spirit of a man determined to etch his name among boxing’s immortals.

In 2023, Crawford made history as the first male boxer in the four-belt era to simultaneously hold all four major world titles — WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO — in two different weight classes: junior welterweight (140 lbs) and welterweight (147 lbs).

That feat not only crowned him as an all-time great but also proved that greatness can come from anywhere — even from the heartland.

Born and raised in North Omaha, Crawford’s journey began far from boxing’s glamorous hubs of Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Growing up in a tough neighborhood, he learned early that survival required both grit and discipline.

He found his calling in boxing gyms across Omaha, training with relentless focus and a chip on his shoulder that would define his career. “I’ve always had to fight for everything,” Crawford once said. “Nothing was handed to me, so I learned to take it.”

Turning professional in 2008, Crawford quickly rose through the ranks. His blend of power, precision, and adaptability made him a nightmare for opponents and a technician’s dream for analysts.

By 2017, he unified all four titles at junior welterweight, becoming the undisputed champion in that division. But his ambitions didn’t stop there. On July 29, 2023, Crawford stepped into the ring against Errol Spence Jr., a fellow undefeated champion, in one of the most anticipated bouts in modern boxing history.

From the opening bell, Crawford dominated — controlling distance, dictating tempo, and showcasing a masterclass in counterpunching. By the ninth round, he forced a stoppage, claiming the undisputed welterweight crown and making boxing history.

That victory earned him a place in the Guinness World Records as the first four-belt undisputed world boxing champion at two weights (male).

Crawford became the embodiment of the sport’s most elusive achievement — total dominance across divisions. “Losing is not an option,” Crawford said after the fight. “I have to win at all costs — no matter what.”

With discipline, courage, and the quiet confidence of a man who knows his worth, Crawford stands as a beacon for athletes who come from overlooked places, proving that greatness isn’t given — it’s earned, one fight at a time.