Greatness: Terence Crawford Writes His Name Into Boxing History
And Some Hybrid Shoot Book Updates!
Errol Spence Jr was supposed to be the man who could finally put Terence Crawford to the test. For more than 15 years, professional boxers have attempted to harness the combustible boxer-puncher from Omaha, Nebraska. Besides the indefatigable Shawn Porter, no one had even come particularly close. In the last seven years, not a single fighter had even managed to last the distance.
Spence was expected to change all that.
For years Crawford and Spence were seemingly unstoppable locomotives on parallel paths. A collision between the two juggernauts had been on fan’s radars for almost five years, ever since the two men went nose-to-nose over who was the better fighter. Only the politics and economics of boxing could prevent the two from settling the dispute in the only way that made sense—in the ring.
They were clearly both on a track with boxing stardom as the final destination. I was able to write features on each fighter for Bleacher Report multiple times, convincing senior brass holding the purse strings that the investment would pay off with a major bout. But with Mayweather vs. Pacquaiao serving as an unfortunate precedent, the fight was allowed to percolate until every last penny had been squeezed out of fans first, preventing either man from truly establishing himself as the kind of elite fighter compared to the Ray Robinsons and Ray Leonards of the world, Spence’s stated goal when we talked seven years ago.
"I want to be mentioned with the greats, a champion in multiple weight classes," Spence said. "That's a goal of mine. I want to be the best at 147 pounds, and I want to be the best at 154. When people mention my name, they'll say 'he never ducked anyone, he always fought the best fighters, and he always gave it his all.'"
True greatness requires risk—but with millions of dollars at stake, few in the boxing world have the heart to show their cards and see where they stand. The business of boxing supersedes sport so consistently that even the allure of seeing the best fighters in the world compete for ultimate glory couldn’t overpower the temptation in both camps to maintain control. Both fighters cashed in on a series of lesser bouts but never established the kind of resume that would see their name whispered by old heads for decades to come.
For years they were running side by side, but the chance of a spectacular collision seemed nigh impossible. Not only were the two fighters on separate promotional tracks, they almost existed in distinct worlds. Despite competing in the same weight classes, they shared only two common opponents, lending the bout an air of mystery. No one really knew what to expect on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Sometimes a mega-fight leaves everyone involved stronger for the experience, the glory of the contest bathing both fighters in a bright light that never dulls.
This wasn’t that bout.
Instead of a contest of equals, the fight revealed Crawford to be a peerless competitor, his opposition, if it exists, appearing only in the history books.
What’s remarkable is that Spence fought his fight, plowing forward behind combinations, even landing a haymaker or two. He was knocked down in the second round but didn’t let it deter him. Spence did what he does best throughout the fight, never losing his nerve or his will.
It’s just that it didn’t matter.
Spence lunged in to land his shots, confident he could get away with it. But Crawford’s precise timing and immaculate counter jab made Spence’s every offensive onslaught truly dangerous—for him. Crawford’s masterful use of space, ridiculous hand speed and iron chin made Spence’s best work look pedestrian by contrast. Even as Spence was winning brief encounters, he was also losing, his face soon bearing witness to Crawford’s ability to place his punches exactly where he wants them. I never thought for a second, even as referee Harvey Dock mercifully stepped in to stop the bludgeoning in the ninth round, that Spence had been exposed or overhyped.
It’s just that, as good as he was, Crawford was better.
Spence is a great fighter. Crawford is a generational talent. There are levels, and Crawford’s is so far above his peers that the only possible challenge to his reign at the top of the sport will come from facing progressively larger opponents— or the specter of Father Time himself.
At his own height and weight, there is no man his equal.
“I only dreamed of being a world champion,” Crawford said after the fight as he became an undisputed champion in a second weight class. “I’m an overachiever. Nobody believed in me when I was coming up, but I made everybody a believer. I want to thank Spence and his team because without him none of this would have been possible.”
A few of you have asked about some of the books we have in progress at Hybrid Shoot. Here is a list of the projects we have in the pipeline right now for delivery in 2023/2024.
Stunning: The Wrestling Artistry of Steve Austin by Zack Heydorn (w/ art by K. Thor Jensen)
This book is complete and in the printing process. Expected delivery Summer 2023.
Beyond the Green Mat: The History of Pro Wrestling NOAH by Jonathan Foye
This history of the beloved Japanese wrestling promotion is in the editing process and expected by the end of the year. Much more to follow!
The Territories Volume II by Chad Dundas and others
A second volume of short stories set in a fictional 1980s wrestling world should be in your hands this fall!
Way of the Blade II: The Elite Edition by Phil Schneider (w/ art by Chris Bryan)
The bulk of the writing and art are done on this AEW-centric sequel to the beloved original. Hopeful for a holiday release!
Dream: The Life and Hard Times of Dusty Rhodes by Jonathan Snowden
A biography of wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes by the author of Shamrock and Total MMA.
Fight Forever: The Ballad of Kevin and Sami by J.J. McGee
The incomparable MithGIFs explores the careers of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. The early chapters of this are amazing.
The Other Ring: Heavyweight Boxing Champions in the Wacky World of Wrestling by Patrick Connor and Jonathan Snowden
The man behind the Boxing History Twitter account joins the author of Shooters for a look at what happens when boxing’s biggest stars find their way into the wrestling ring.
Code of Honor: How ROH Changed the Wrestling World Forever by Shane Hagadorn
An insider’s look at the incredibly influential independent promotion by a former wrestler. The story is so big that the problem has become fitting it all in a single volume. More to follow.
Untitled Hulk Hogan Project by John ‘Poz’ Pozarowski (w/ art by Mark “Lash” LeRoux)
An exploration of the Hulkamania experience, as told to the Two Man Power Trip host by the wrestlers who lived it.
Untitled 1990s Pro Wrestling Book by Ryan Dilbert and the Editors of Hybrid Shoot
Temporarily on hold.