A veteran boxing talent has jumped to the defense of an apparent “smear campaign” targeting Terence Crawford off the back of his stellar win in Las Vegas.
Becoming just the third fighter to defeat Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, newly-minted undisputed super middleweight champion Terence Crawford did so in an impressive unanimous decision win.
And turning in his third undisputed reign across three separate divisions, Crawford has declared himself as the global face of boxing.
However, according to a certain Olympic hero, Crawford was the victim of many an effort to “smear” his drawing power and how certain figures in the boxing sphere tried to “bury” him.
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Andre Ward jumps to the defense of Terence Crawford after Netflix number release
Upon the release of some rather impressive viewship figures from the Netflix broadcasted event between Canelo and Crawford, the Nebraska native has received some backing.
According to former super middleweight and light heavyweight kingpin Andre Ward, Crawford had been the victim of a targeted “smear campaign” for quite some time due to an apparent lack of drawing power.
A campaign which he believes proved fruitless off the back of his impressive return when it comes to figures with Netflix.
“They tried to bury Terence Crawford,” Ward said on his podcast. “They tried to ruin his reputation and say that he wasn’t a draw, when the numbers were there for you to see.
“…There was a smear campaign against his personality,” Ward continued. “‘He doesn’t walk — nobody wants to hear him.’ No, you don’t want to hear him. So you try to speak for the masses when the whole time you have a star right here.
“…Even before his last fight, his fight before Canelo, the smear campaign continued. I don’t hear the smear campaign now.”
And while Canelo played a part in those eye-catching Netflix viewership numbers, too, fans should not be sold on an immediate rematch between the Jalisco star and Crawford.
Terence Crawford addresses potential Canelo Alvarez rematch
Linked with a host of clashes in his potential first defense of his new super middleweight spoils, Crawford has been floated as a potential foe for former divisional champion David Benavidez, if he makes a return to 168lbs.
However, a host of pundits and fans are still hopeful of a rematch clash between Crawford and Canelo.
Addressing the possibility of facing the former world champion again in his immediate return to the ring, Crawford issued a rather cryptic response to the rematch.