One of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters has identified who he thinks is among the best to throw hands in the cage.
The undefeated Crawford, who takes on Canelo Alvarez in a week’s time in Las Vegas in what is the first high profile boxing match to be promoted by UFC CEO Dana White, said that former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is the best boxer in the UFC — apparently ignoring the merits of other contenders like Ilia Topuria or Max Holloway.
“It’s my guy, Cody,” Crawford told the Full Send podcast. “He’s the best UFC boxer.
“Yeah, but I don’t know, man, Cody’s got those hands,” he added. “But I’m saying, when you’re talking about straight boxing, we ain’t talking about nothing else, we’re talking about straight boxing skills, I just think Cody’s got the best boxing skills in the UFC. But that’s just my opinion.”
Garbrandt began his career with a perfect 11-0 record as he rose to world champion status. However, he lost the UFC’s 135-pound title to arch rival TJ Dillashaw in New York City in November 2017. Since then, Gardbrandt has posted a 3-7 record in — most recently losing by unanimous decision to Raoni Barcelos in Atlanta, Georgia in June.
The 37-year-old Crawford, considered to be among the finest boxers of his generation, is known for his outstanding counter striking style which has delivered him 41 victories in as many professional contests.
Should he continue his unbeaten run against the larger Canelo next weekend, he will likely sit alongside Oleksandr Usyk as the two top pound-for-pound boxers today.
