The Unspoken Dance of Avoidance: Terence Crawford’s Legacy and the Fighters Who Fled
There’s something almost poetic about the way boxing careers are shaped—not just by the fights that happen, but by the ones that don’t. Terence Crawford’s recent revelation about Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. avoiding him during his welterweight reign is a perfect example. On the surface, it’s a footnote in boxing history. But if you take a step back and think about it, it’s a window into the psychology of the sport, the unspoken strategies fighters use, and the legacy Crawford leaves behind.
The Welterweight King and the Crown No One Wanted
Crawford’s welterweight reign was nothing short of dominant. From dethroning Jeff Horn to unifying the division against Errol Spence Jr., he was the undisputed king. But what makes this particularly fascinating is the way he’s now calling out Ennis and Ortiz Jr. for avoiding him. Personally, I think this isn’t just about ego—it’s about the unwritten rules of boxing. Fighters like Ennis and Ortiz Jr. were rising stars, and taking on Crawford at his peak would have been a career-defining risk. What many people don’t realize is that dropping out of rankings isn’t just a tactical move; it’s a survival strategy. Crawford was a known destroyer, and facing him meant risking not just a loss, but a dent in their marketability.
The Psychology of Avoidance
One thing that immediately stands out is how avoidance shapes legacies. Crawford’s claim that Ennis and Ortiz Jr. ‘dropped out of the rankings’ to dodge him raises a deeper question: Does avoiding a fight diminish a fighter’s credibility? In my opinion, it does—but only if the fighter in question is as dominant as Crawford. What this really suggests is that even in a sport as brutal as boxing, self-preservation often trumps ambition. Ennis and Ortiz Jr. were playing the long game, and from my perspective, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Boxing is as much about timing as it is about talent.
The Legacy of the Undisputed
Crawford’s move up to super-middleweight and his win over Canelo Alvarez cemented his place in boxing’s elite club. But what’s often overlooked is how his welterweight reign was marked by a lack of challengers. This isn’t just about fighters avoiding him—it’s about the broader trend in boxing where champions struggle to find worthy opponents. A detail that I find especially interesting is how Crawford’s dominance may have inadvertently contributed to this. When a fighter is too good, the sport suffers. Promoters and fighters alike start playing it safe, and the fans are left with fewer blockbuster matchups.
The Future of Welterweight
Now, with Crawford retired and Ennis moving up to challenge Xander Zayas, the welterweight division is at a crossroads. Ennis’s attempt to become a two-division champion is bold, but it also feels like a missed opportunity. If you ask me, a Crawford-Ennis fight would have been legendary. Instead, we’re left with what-ifs and a division that’s still searching for its next undisputed king. What this really suggests is that boxing’s future depends on fighters being willing to take risks—something Crawford did throughout his career.
Final Thoughts
Crawford’s comments about Ennis and Ortiz Jr. aren’t just about past grudges; they’re a commentary on the state of boxing. Personally, I think the sport needs more fighters like Crawford—willing to take on all comers, regardless of the risk. But it also needs a system that incentivizes fighters to step up, not step back. If you take a step back and think about it, Crawford’s legacy isn’t just about the titles he won; it’s about the fights he was willing to take. And that, in my opinion, is what makes him one of the greats.
