Terence Crawford focuses on winning, says he admires Porter’s ability to keep his head up even in defeat

Terence “Bud” Crawford was aiming to beat Shawn Porter on Saturday night. There is no hatred but mutual respect for their travels.

Crawford was relaxed, speaking to BoxingInsider.com on Wednesday ahead of a final press conference with Porter and their respective teams. Instead of answering the usual resume/campaign questions, Crawford shares insights about his team and how proud he is of them. Additionally, he said negotiations for Saturday night’s fight were “quite easy” and how he respected Porter’s piled-up resume.

BI: What I have always admired is the strong team around you. What are you most proud of when you look at BoMac (coach Brian Mcintyre), Red and Esau?

TC: I’m so happy and proud that they can share this light here with me. It’s been a long and difficult road to get to this point. And we all made it. And we all made great sacrifices. And I’m just happy to be the one to bring them to this point.

BI: So many sacrifices, so many long nights to coordinate fighting negotiations? Is this an easy negotiation?

TC: As far as I remember, the negotiations were pretty easy. As for Top Rated and PBC, I don’t know. But for me, it’s nothing.

BI: The story of the fight has Shawn applied an aggressive style compared to Bud’s pure technical boxing ability. Those are the discussions people are having. How do you think people observe your boxing style is as strong as your technical ability?

TC: I think up to now, and everyone knows that I’m strong, I can punch, I can box, I can hit, I can fight. So I think it’s out there now. And I think that’s what a lot of people know now.

BI: I admire the mutual respect you both have for each other. When I spoke to Shawn before, he admired how you completely dominated your opponent in previous matches. There has never been a victory yours that was so close. What about Sean’s feats that you admire?

TC: Well, you know, Shawn and I are two boys who are students of the game. I admire the games he won, you know, the way he won them. That he fought his war. No, he knocks out his opponent’s name, and he does what he has to to tame them and head them off to force a clear victory in most cases. For others, it was close.

Sometimes you get the nod, and sometimes you don’t. But you know, those are the things I admire about Shawn Porter because he always holds his head high. He never lets that get to him or, you know, makes him less of a fighter.

BI: What are some stories that you hear that you wish would die about you, your career, or whatever?

TC: You know me. I don’t care what kind of narrative they say about me or how they perceive me. Because they keep talking about you regardless. So it’s not my job to care or follow what the next person has to say about me.

BI: Finally, I saw a viral video on the internet from your party in Omaha. People are dancing in the streets, and you’re down. Does boxing make you a better dancer? Does dancing make you a better fighter?

TC: [laugh] I think both.