Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. believes he could have defeated Terence Crawford if they had fought. Crawford boasts a faultless record and elite accomplishments — world titles across five weight divisions. Last month he made history by becoming the first male boxer to win undisputed championships in three separate divisions.
Crawford’s win over Canelo Álvarez cemented his legacy, and he already holds landmark victories against fighters such as Shawn Porter, Israil Madrimov and Errol Spence Jr.. While the 38-year-old Omaha native remains unbeaten in 42 professional bouts, Jones insisted he still would have posed overwhelming problems.
Speaking to Boxing News, Jones acknowledged Crawford’s brilliance but argued that the younger man still lacked an understanding of his style. “I like Terence, Terence is a very good fighter,” Jones said. “But Terence grew up on Roy Jones. It’s hard to beat Roy Jones if you don’t fully understand him yet.”
The Vision Jones Holds of Their Possible Fight
Jones claimed that Crawford might handle a few rounds early, but he expected to take control before long. “He would have been something to deal with for a few rounds early, but I was a different guy,” he added. Jones pointed to his unpredictability and athletic advantage, suggesting those traits would have given him the edge in a showdown.
Crawford achieved the unheard-of feat of becoming an undisputed champion at three weights and compiled a record of 42-0 with 31 KOs. Meanwhile, Jones’ own career spanned decades and weight classes, earning him hall-of-fame status. He believes that his prime self held qualities that would have challenged Crawford’s best.
A Legacy Built on Style, Skill and Confidence
Jones rose to prominence in the 1990s by revolutionizing boxing with speed and flair. His most memorable triumph came in 2003 when he moved up to heavyweight and dethroned the WBA champion John Ruiz. He became the only former middleweight champion to win a heavyweight title in more than a century.
Now, reflecting on Crawford’s era-defining rise, Jones suggests that legacy fights sometimes require the right time and the right style match-up. He argued that Crawford’s accomplishments remain extraordinary — yet his own unique form and fighter identity would have tilted the result. “They still ask questions about how I did things,” he remarked.
In sum, Jones offered a confident claim: given the chance, he would have found a way to prevail over Crawford.
