As tempted as I was to give Vasyl Lomachenko the number one spot on this year's list, I was even more tempted to give the honors to the man at the number two spot. For today, the spotlight will be on an individual who has proven to be as accomplished as he has been dominant. What I mean is that this fighter unified an entire division - in an era as politically dysfunctional as the one we're living in now. That, my friends, is quite an achievement. I'm referring, of course, to Terence Crawford, who sits high at #2 on this year's pound-for-pound list.
Crawford unified the junior welterweight division this year - which is stunning in and of itself, but he's proven so completely unstoppable in fight after fight that he's actually become a frightening presence. The man hits like thunder, can switch stances, adapts to tough situations, and has ambition (he's reportedly moving up to welterweight, in case you haven't heard). The fact of the matter is 2017 merely topped up an explosive years-long run for the Omaha native, as Crawford has schooled one top name after another. The only thing that truly awaits, it seems, is a legitimate superfight.
So, who will it be - Errol Spence, Jr? Keith Thurman? Manny Pacqauio? Who will rise to the occasion, and throw down in a mega battle with the terror from Nebraska? Or will title holder Jeff Horn, perhaps with the help of some Australian home cooking, stop Crawford in his tracks? In boxing, one never knows. One thing is certain, though, even in the world of the sweet science - it might be unwise to bet against the man they call Bud anytime in the near future.
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