Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Oscar De La Hoya used Floyd Mayweather and Terence Crawford’s respective victories over Canelo Alvarez to name who he thinks is the better fighter overall.
The most recent performance came when Crawford, who announced his retirement last monthdethroned the Mexican with a clear unanimous decision victory in September 2025.
Entering the super middleweight showdown as the consensus underdog, “Bud” showed that, on a purely skill-for-skill level, he was never going to be beaten by his greatest opponent.
In fact, the question of size hardly entered into the equation as Crawford, who had jumped 154 pounds, put in a masterful performance to become an undisputed three-division champion.
But while the 38-year-old certainly controlled proceedings from start to finish, so did Mayweather, who scored a majority decision victory over Canelo in 2013.
Despite a ridiculous 114-114 score from CJ Ross, who hasn’t competed professionally since, Mayweather managed to dominate virtually every round.
For balance, however, it must be said that Canelo, at this point in his career, lacked world championship experience and was most likely hampered by the 152-pound weight limit. But it could also be argued that by the time he fought Crawford, Alvarez was no longer the formidable force he had become five years prior.
Regardless, De La Hoya strongly suggested in an interview with CombatHype that Mayweather, his former opponent, was the superior technician.
“Floyd Mayweather played with Canelo, like he literally played with him, he didn’t get hit at all, not once. And Crawford, yes, he’s more of a fighter-boxer – Mayweather is more of a boxer – but I disagree. [that Crawford was better].
“I think Mayweather is much more superior than Crawford, not just because he beat me and it was a close fight, or because I got in the ring with Mayweather, but I definitely think that, technically, Mayweather is a better fighter.”
With De La Hoya having fought Mayweather, not Crawford, in 2007 – suffering a split decision defeat – it is perhaps only natural for him to side with the pound-for-pound legend.
The debate over Mayweather and Crawford – even a fantasy fight – will rageespecially now that both men boast a professional campaign with zero losses when all is said and done.
