Terence Crawford: “We want the biggest and the best fighters out there to fight, we want to stay on the top!”

Former WBO lightweight champion, Terence Crawford is coming off of a 2014 that saw him win a title, defend it, and prove he was the best fighter in his weight class. Now in a new year and moving up in weight, Crawford is looking to not only to win a belt in another division, but also establish to himself among the top 10 best fighters in the world.

In this “On The Ropes” boxing radio interview with Terence Crawford, I speak to him about his upcoming light welterweight title challenge against Thomas Dulorme. Crawford speaks about moving up in weight and what kind of challenge he sees in Dulorme. Terence also talks about the division and what fights he could see for himself if he wins. Additionally, Crawford shares his views on Provodnikov-Matthysse and Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. Here is what Terence Crawford had to say.

Jenna J: On April 18th you will be facing Thomas Dulorme for the vacant WBO 140lb belt. How do you feel about moving up in weight to challenge for another title?

Terence Crawford: I feel great. I’m very excited to move up to 140lbs and display my talent at another weight class.

Jenna J: What was the major reason for moving up in weight?

Terence Crawford: The major reason was that I just felt like it was time to move up. I’ve been at that weight since I was seventeen and I just felt like there’s bigger and better opportunities for me at 140lbs.

Jenna J: What strengths do you think you gain from moving up to 140lbs? Do you think you’ll be stronger because you won’t have to cut as much weight?

Terence Crawford: Yeah, of course I’m gonna be stronger being that I don’t have to cut as much muscle mass off of me and I can be a little more physical in the ring. I feel like it’s gonna suit me best.

Jenna J: How happy are you that you’re getting a title shot on your first fight back at light welterweight?

Terence Crawford: I’m very happy. It’s something that was in the makings before we thought about going up to 140lbs. We want the biggest and the best fighters out there to fight. We don’t want to take a step backwards, we want to stay on the top.

Jenna J: What do you think about your opponent, Thomas Dulorme?

Terence Crawford: There’s a lot to think about, he’s tall, he’s rangy, he’s got a good jab, good one-two, he punches pretty hard. But it’s not really my job to say what he does well, it’s my job to say what I’m gonna do and how I’m gonna go in there and get the job done.

Jenna J: The fight is gonna be in Texas, how do you feel about fighting somewhere outside of Omaha?

Terence Crawford: This is not the first time that I’ve fought away from home. I’m real cool with it, I’m excited about going back to Texas to fight and I’m looking forward to putting on a spectacular show again.

Jenna J: The same night you fight, Ruslan Provodnikov is going to fight Lucas Matthysse, they’ll be highly ranked and be available to fight for the belt if you win it. What do you think of that fight?

Terence Crawford: That’s gonna be a very exciting fight. I feel like both of those fighters’ styles add up to a very exciting fight come April 18th. I’m looking forward to it as much as everybody else.

Jenna J: Who do you favor in that fight?

Terence Crawford: I’m gonna have to go with Provodnikov being that Lucas Matthysse seemed like he can be hurt and dropped. I feel like Matthysse has the most skills in the fight, he throws his punches shorter, he’s got the boxing ability but Provodnikov shows that he can make you fight his fight and I feel that if he lands some of those hard thudding shots, he’s gonna hurt Lucas Matthysse.

Jenna J: The WBO belt that you’re fighting for is vacant because Chris Algieri was stripped of it when he fought Manny Pacquiao. The winner of this fight is going to be mandated to fight Algieri. How do you feel about having that mandatory?

Terence Crawford: That’s part of the game, you just have to roll with the punches. I’m not worried about him right now, my main focus is on Thomas Dulorme and then after that we’ll focus on the next opponent.

Jenna J: The 140lb division is stacked, what do you think of the guys that are at the top of the weight class, guys like Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson?

Terence Crawford: Those guys are great fighters too. Both of them got a fight coming up against one another, that’s gonna be a great fight. As far as thinking about other fighters, that’s not on my agenda right now because my main focus right now is Thomas Dulorme. I know there’s gonna be a chance where my name can be brought up in the mix of fighting one of those guys and when that time comes, I’ll speak on it.

Jenna J: Seeing as you are fighting Thomas Dulorme, what do you think are his biggest strengths?

Terence Crawford: I don’t know. It can be one thing or it can be another, being that styles make fights. He may fight me a different way than he fought the previous opponent. Come April 18th then we’re gonna see what his strength is as what his weakness is.

Jenna J: With you, we never know how you’re gonna fight, some nights you’re a southpaw, some nights you’re an orthodox fighter. What is it like to not really know how to fight a guy until you get in there?

Terence Crawford: It’s just about adjustments, making the right adjustments. I was always taught about making adjustments when you get in the ring because you can go in there with one gameplan, or two gameplans, and when those fail and they don’t come through, then you have to make another adjustment to make it right. That’s what I was schooled on and that’s what I’ve been taught to do and that’s what I plan on doing come April 18th.

Jenna J: A lot of people have you in the top fifteen pound-for-pound talk. What does it mean to you to be thought of in that light?

Terence Crawford: It means a lot, it means that all my hard work is truly paying off. I just gotta thank God for blessing me with the talent and ability to do what I love to do, and that’s box.

Jenna J: On May 2nd there’s a really big fight that’s gonna happen. As a fight fan, how excited are you to see Floyd Mayweather fight Manny Pacquiao?

Terence Crawford: Very excited being that it’s been a long time awaiting. I just feel like the fight should have happened already but as long as it’s happening, that’s all that matters. I feel that Mayweather is going to have the edge in this fight.

Jenna J: Why do you think he has the edge over Pacquiao?

Terence Crawford: Because I feel like his jab and his straight punches down the pipe are going to frustrate Pacquiao. Pacquiao is going to come in jumping with a lot of flurry like punches and Floyd is just going to time him and catch him coming in.

Jenna J: Do you think the fight would have played out any differently if it took place a few years ago?

Terence Crawford: Maybe because both of them were more in their primes. Both of them slowed down a little bit I feel like. If they would have fought five years ago or four years ago, who knows how the fight would have played out.

Jenna J: Back to your fight with Thomas Dulorme, how do you expect that fight to play out from the opening bell to the finish?

Terence Crawford: I expect it to be an exciting fight from the start to the finish, with my hand raised at the end as the new light welterweight champion of the world.

Jenna J: Do you see the fight going the distance?

Terence Crawford: I never predict a knockout because it’s boxing and anything can happen. I just always train to the best of my abilities to go out there and perform and get the job done and get the victory.