Terence Crawford won the 2023 ‘Ring Magazine Performance of the Year award’ for his win over Errol Spence Jr, marking a spectacular year for the boxer.
Bud became the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era after stopping Spence in the ninth round. He dropped Spence three times on his way to becoming undisputed in a second weight class. This was following his feat at junior welterweight. The manner of the win was equally impressive as Crawford kept his 100 percent knockout rate at 147.
“Terence Crawford has been announced as the winner of the 2023 Ring Magazine Performance of the Year award after stopping Errol Spence,” Michael Benson revealed
The win was significant as he beat Naoya Inoue, who also had an integral year, to the award. He joined Terence Crawford in becoming undisputed in a second weight class after knocking out Marlon Tapales to win all the belts at super bantamweight. Crawford and Inoue are considered the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, showing there is very little to separate the pair, which is why Crawford’s award was impressive.
But it was not just Crawford who was recognised. His trainer Bomac was also honored with the ‘Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year’ award. He devised a game plan to neutralize Spence’s jab, his biggest weapon coming into the fight. Bomac also managed to help Chris Eubank Jr. get his revenge on Liam Smith in their rematch.
Eubank Jr. stopped the Liverpudlian after being stopped in the fourth round in their first bout. That showed Bomac could work his magic on more than just Crawford, especially since there were question marks over whether Eubank should have retired after the Smith loss. Now, he is in the conversation for a world title at 160.
Crawford’s Trainer
“His coach Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre has been announced as the winner of the 2023 Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year award,” Michael Benson added
There is still more to come from Crawford, but it does not appear to be the Spence rematch. Bud ruled out the rematch after becoming frustrated at the talk over his win over Spence. Several suggestions have been put forward to imply that Spence was not 100 percent coming into the fight, thus taking away the impressive nature of his win. This included the claims that Spence struggled to make 147. Spence did not indicate that, but he stated there were issues with his vision in the Crawford fight. His cataract surgery was cited as a reason for being hit by Bud’s shots frequently, leaving Crawford frustrated.
“It’s been past due. S**t was covering my eye. Why [do] you think I got hit with so many jabs and hooks? Still a great performance by bro [Crawford],” Spence said
“I done heard it all now @ErrolSpenceJr it’s ok tho because all in all I’m glad it’s over and done with. I wish you well ma brotha,” Crawford stated
