Terence “Bud” Crawford is arguably one of the most complete boxers in the world today and is in the top 3 in many people’s pound-for-pound lists.
His unique style of being able to switch and fight from both stances with ease naturally is something you don’t see often and makes him a true puzzle for any opponent that faces him.
In this boxing style analysis, I will give you a quick look at Crawford’s background, and accomplishments and of course look at his switch stance boxing style for you to take and learn from.
Watch below or read on to find out more.
Who is Terence Crawford?
Terence “Bud” Crawford is originally from Omaha, Nebraska which of course is not really known for producing the best boxers in the US. However, they certainly have the claim now of having one of the world’s best in Terence Crawford.
Starting his career way back in 2008, Crawford has slowly developed himself over the years into one of the most complete fighters we have seen in the sport of boxing today.
Terence Crawford himself is a 3 weight world champion. Starting at lightweight he won his first world title back in 2014 against Scottish boxer Ricky Burns for the WBO world lightweight title. He then went on to have two notable wins over Gamboa and Beltran before moving up in weight.
Bud then went on to fight at super lightweight where he has had most of his success as a professional to date. In 2017 Crawford became the first male boxer to simultaneously hold all four major world titles in boxing since Jermain Taylor in 2005. And is one of only eight boxers in history to do so, male or female!
After claiming all the belts at super lightweight, Bud made the obvious move up to Welterweight where he has so far claimed the WBO belt against Jeff Horn. However, with Crawford fighting under the Top Rank promotion for many years, he has struggled to get the big fights against the likes of Errol Spence Jr, Danny Garcia, and Keith Thurman who all fight under the PBC promotion.
However, with Crawford now leaving Top Rank, we can only hope over the coming years he can get some huge Welterweight fights.
Crawford’s Achievements
Amateur
Silver at Golden Gloves Tournament – lightweight
Professional
- WBO Lightweight Title
- The Ring Magazine Lightweight and Super Lightweight Titles
- WBO Super Lightweight Title
- WBA (Super) Super Lightweight Title
- IBF Super Lightweight Title
- WBC Super Lightweight Title
- WBO Welterweight Title
Terence Crawford’s Boxing Style
As mentioned above, Crawford has a complete boxing style where he adapts to what type of boxing style his opponent has. Due to this, Crawford’s boxing IQ is exceptional and we have seen him box by using a range of tactics and techniques. This includes applying pressure, counter-punching, defense maneuverability, infighting, and power shots with tremendous finishing ability.
One of the most difficult aspects his competition finds in the ring is his ability to switch from Southpaw to Orthodox (and vice versa). As he is able to box comfortably from both stances. However, he will more often than not box from a Southpaw position in most cases. As most of the orthodox fighters he has faced to date have struggled with Crawford operating in this stance.
This is without a doubt a style Crawford has perfected over his whole career. This is very unique to see in today’s modern boxing. As it can take years to perfect one stance and is still able to apply all his techniques comfortably either way.
(Check out my top 10 switch-hitting boxers here)
Switching and Southpaw Stance
Crawford primarily fights mostly out of a southpaw stance and will tend to use this against most of the opponents he comes up against as mentioned above.
When up against orthodox fighters he will tend to still fight in a Southpaw stance but will switch mid-round or even for a full round depending on how his opponent is coming at him. His relaxed movement in this stance often sees orthodox fighters overcommit and get hit by left-hand powerful counters.
He also likes to keep most competitors at long range, especially due to his longer reach considering his height of 5ft 8 (reach: 74 in)
Against southpaws, he’s tended to stay as southpaw himself. Mainly due to the unusual style match-up that it brings to them and will look to counter with body shots. (Watch Crawford vs Indongo)
He almost appears ambidextrous at times (the ability to use both hands or feet just well as the other). But he has simply just perfected both stances depending on the situation he is in.
Check out these great videos below of Roy Jones Jr talking about Crawford’s switch stance below: And the welterweight champ shadowboxing in and out of Southpaw and Orthodox stances.
Jab and parry
Crawford’s jab is probably one of the most underrated aspects of his game. Where the Nebraska fighter will use this primarily as a range finder and parry with his opponent to counter over the top or set up counter punches.
When he switches to orthodox, his jab is often used when he is applying pressure to set up his deadly left or right hooks that have shaken and taken down many of his opponents.
You will also often see Crawford use feints with his lead hand to keep his opposition guessing.
Defense and counter punching
Bud’s footwork is undoubtedly a big part of his defensive game and also often gets overlooked. However, this is part of his overall boxing IQ. He will often shuffle back in straight lines, use pivots left or right, and circle around his opposition using lateral steps in his footwork – especially when he is on the back foot.
By using his feet as his main defense, he is very elusive and hard to hit for anyone that has faced him showing the importance of using your feet.
Crawford’s counterpunching often comes in the form of counter right hooks that usually catches orthodox stance fighters off guard when they throw a jab.
Once Bud knows he has them hurt, he will go on full offense. He’ll look to apply pressure throwing left hooks and straight punches and even changing stance to catch them off, guard.
(Make sure to check out my top 6 defensive techniques blog)
Pressure and finishing
It’s undeniable Crawford is one of the best finishers in boxing. Especially when you consider he has fought in world title fights since 2014 with an impressive 13 knockouts.
As mentioned above Crawford will often counter his opponent with a powerful left or right hook once they have overcommitted the jab or offense in general. In most cases that immediately puts his opponent on the back foot as they look to defend themselves.
Crawford will then apply pressure by throwing a flurry of combinations of attacks to the body and head from different angles and going around the high guard. Usually resulting in a typical end of the bout for whoever he is up against.
He does leave himself open at times and gets clipped. But more often than not he has been able to take punches. The risk/reward ratio usually favors him due to his power to finish off a challenger once he has them hurt.
Check out this great video by Hanzagod below who shows some of Crawford’s best moments and finishing as he made his way to become an undisputed super-lightweight champion and WBO welterweight champion.
Adaptability to any style.
Crawford’s overall ability to adapt to any opponent’s style proves he is one of the most complete fighters. He knows styles make fights, so adapts accordingly to who he is facing and does not necessarily fight the same way for every bout. This is what makes Crawford one of the world’s best boxers today in my opinion.
Obviously being able to fight from both stances is a huge factor. But it’s his boxing IQ and development of fighting many boxing styles over the years that have made him successful.
Below is a video by Lee Wylie who brilliantly demonstrates how Crawford adapts to the following boxing styles. Speedy boxer, boxer-puncher, pressure fighter, rangy southpaw and brawler.
Final thoughts
For me, Terence Crawford is a joy to watch, as he is a proven finisher and can adapt to anything thrown at him in the ring.
It will be interesting to see if he will go on to fight the likes of Errol Spence Jr. Which will no doubt be one of the next big super fights in boxing. I really hope, like all fight fans, we get to see these two pound-for-pound stars enter the ring.
In terms of what we can learn from Crawford, I personally recommend perfecting your natural stance. However, being able to switch stance is a very important aspect if your training depends on the opponent or the positions you get yourself in the ring.
I highly recommend watching Crawford if you are a boxer who likes to switch stances so you can see how he does this so effortlessly.
Hope you enjoyed this boxing style analysis review.
Why not check out my analysis on his potential future opponent in Errol Spence Jr or read my Terence Crawford training breakdown article.
Thanks for reading!
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