Shakur Stevenson has spent years closely observing Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford. He’s shared the ring in sparring sessions, trained by his side, and relied on him as a mentor beyond boxing.

Now, as Crawford faces Canelo Alvarez in a high-stakes match in Las Vegas, Stevenson is confident that his friend will astonish the world – before stepping away from the sport forever.

At 27, Stevenson is recognized as one of boxing’s most promising talents. Yet, he acknowledges that Crawford has made a significant impact on him, both in boxing and personally.

‘The reality is,’ Stevenson shares, ‘and while some might say I’m biased, I truly believe there’s a reason Terence came into my life. There were instances where I might have strayed, but Terence consistently guided me on the right track.’

‘When I got caught up in Miami, he was the first one on my phone. Like, ‘Bro, you tripping, this ain’t what you need to be doing.’ I appreciate him for that. I’ll always support him.’

That support has been forged in the gym as much as outside it. Stevenson still remembers the first time he sparred the two weight undisputed champion and the painful lesson it delivered. 

‘Man, the first time he fucked me up, he really f***ed me up,’ Stevenson laughed. ‘But I promised myself I’d keep sparring him to get better. Over the years, I started closing that gap, to where he wasn’t just beating my a** anymore. But to me, he’s always been the GOAT – even before this fight, he’s been the GOAT in my eyes.’ 

For Stevenson, those sparring sessions revealed the real secret behind Crawford’s greatness: relentless hard work.

‘I’ve never seen anyone with a work ethic like his. He’s the hardest-working boxer I’ve ever been around. That’s what carries him in these fights. I can’t give you all the secrets, but I will say this: I have never seen a fighter work harder than Terence Crawford.’  

That tireless dedication is why Stevenson believes Crawford can topple Canelo, even if he isn’t betting on a knockout.

‘I’m picking decision,’ he admitted. ‘Canelo’s got great defense, he’s not an easy target. He always keeps his hands up, and I think that’s the most underrated part of his game.

‘Canelo used to be one of my favorite fighters. But he’s fighting Bud now. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bud wobbled him or hurt him, but Canelo better go in with respect. I’m hearing he thinks Bud can’t hurt him and I just don’t believe that.’

Talk of resumes inevitably follows Canelo, whose career has spanned more than 60 professional fights. But Stevenson is quick to shoot down the idea that the Mexican’s record is unquestionably superior.  

‘That’s bulls***,’ he said bluntly. ‘When people talk resumes, they don’t always get it right. Look at me and Tank [Davis]. Some of the guys he fights, because he’s a superstar, people don’t know them until after he fights them. Then suddenly that guy has this big name. But that doesn’t mean he was that before.

‘When I fight someone, I’m a star but not at Tank’s level, so my opponents don’t blow up the same way. It’s different. Like, nobody really knew Isaac Cruz until after he fought Tank. But if I fight someone like Artem, nobody knows him, and even after fighting me, he’s just seen as a regular guy. That’s how it works.’ 

And if Crawford does the unthinkable and dethrones Canelo on Saturday, Stevenson believes the perfect ending would be to call it a day right there.

‘Retire, bro. Retire,’ he said. ‘Sit back, enjoy your kids, enjoy your family. Forget these training camps. I told Bud he should come work with me. I’d love for him to be one of my coaches.’

Could that really happen? Stevenson doesn’t hesitate. ‘I want it to be. Yeah, for sure.’