American Boxing Coach, Michael “Coach Mike” Kozlowski on Terence Crawford’s Victory over Saul Alvarez!

Posted on 15. Sep, 2025 by BoxingCoachMike in News

For the past five years, I have considered Terence Crawford the best professional boxer in the world, regardless of weight class!

I had heard about Terence Crawford since his amateur career…
I first took notice of this guy and started following his professional career after his sensational victory over the Cuban, Yuriorkis Gamboa, in 2014!..

The next opponent of Terence Crawford who matched Gamboa’s level was the experienced Ukrainian boxer Viktor Postol. But already after the fights Crawford had following the Gamboa win, I got the impression that there were no real challengers for him in that division!…
Before the fight with Viktor Postol, I confidently told my friends and fellow coaches that only unpredictable accident could prevent the American from beating the Ukrainian!…

It was a great pleasure for me when, before another title fight, Terence’s coaches introduced me to him at the legendary Gleason’s Gym in New York, where I was training my students!
I had crossed paths multiple times with Crawford’s coaching team from Nebraska at the RINGSIDE International Tournament in Kansas City. The only question I asked Terence at the time was:
“Are you a true southpaw?”
To which Crawford, smiling, replied that many coaches ask him that…
“I’m naturally right-handed,” he continued, “but I love to box in the southpaw stance…”

After the fight with Viktor Postol, I became even more convinced that Terence Crawford is the Sugar Ray Leonard of modern boxing!…
I was pleasantly surprised and flattered when, a few years later, one of my students, who knew about my comparison of Crawford to the Great Leonard, sent me a link stating that the legendary modern-day promoter, Bob Arum, also called Crawford the modern Sugar Ray Leonard…

Before the fight with the Mexican Super Champion, Saul Alvarez, I was confident in Terence Crawford’s victory! And I believed that only an unforeseen accident could stop the challenger from claiming yet another World Crown and becoming Champion!
I even felt that the American could win by knockout!… According to my predictions before the fight, among my friends, coaches, and boxers I spoke with, I was in the absolute minority…
But I still bet money—on the knockout too!