The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show #174 Guest: Terence Crawford | Date: February 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features boxing superstar Terence "Bud" Crawford, fresh off his historic win over Canelo Alvarez. Joe Rogan and Crawford dive deep into the journey of a generational fighter who climbed multiple weight classes, conquered doubters, retained his health and legacy, and now shares hard-won wisdom for fighters and fans. The conversation covers skill, legacy, the business of boxing, fight preparation, athlete mentality, and lessons for life beyond the ring—all delivered in the honest, reflective, and strategic voice of a champion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Crawford’s Journey and Legacy

• Crawford’s defining moment: His victory against Canelo at 168 lbs. shocked the boxing world, disproved doubters, and settled debates about skill versus size. Crawford equates his journey to legendary fighters who made greatness look easy.
• Handling naysayers: Throughout his career, Crawford felt undervalued despite beating top-tier opponents. He notes how, for others, victories over Crawford’s past opponents were lauded, but his own wins were minimized ([02:31]).
• Motivation beyond money: Legacy, not wealth or fame, drove Crawford—"I want to be remembered as one of the greatest champions of all time, you know, and I think I did that." ([16:54]).
• Comparisons to legends: Being discussed among the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson, Floyd Mayweather, and Sugar Ray Leonard is validation for the sacrifices and discipline he's committed since childhood ([15:05]).
• Going out on top: Crawford is content to retire after the Canelo fight, emphasizing leaving the sport healthy, wealthy, and with his faculties intact—a rarity for boxing legends ([17:14]).

The Canelo Fight & Skills Analysis

• Pre-fight doubts: Many believed Canelo was too big or experienced for Crawford. The win was definitive and technical, with Crawford staying in his element under pressure ([01:42]).
• Fight chemistry: Canelo’s strengths (power, counter-punching) forced Crawford to adjust tactics and stay ahead with quick counters and combinations—"You gotta counter the counter at times." ([11:51])
• Preparation mindset: Every fight is treated as the toughest of his career; underestimation is dangerous ([13:09]).

The Business of Boxing & Promoters

• "Side of the street" politics: Crawford laments how promoters' politics delayed big fights, forcing fighters onto different promotional “sides”—yet is proud he made his own way ([06:25]).
• How fights get made: Recent big fights are thanks to outside investors like Turki Alalshikh, who’s changed the game by funding fights promoters wouldn’t pay for ([108:17]).
• Lessons for fighters: Crawford stresses fighters’ power in collective bargaining and choosing career-defining fights for legacy, not short-term pay ([55:11]).

Weight Cutting and Health

• Boxing vs. MMA weight cuts: Weight cutting is extreme in MMA due to fewer weight classes. Boxing, with its increments, allows for less drastic, healthier cuts ([49:44]).
• Personal experience: At his worst, Crawford cut around 25 lbs., and traces the only time he was seriously hurt (vs. Gamboa) to weight depletion ([45:57]).
• Fighter health after retirement: Crawford underscores prioritizing long-term health over fleeting fame; he points out how the sport often forgets its aging heroes ([18:28]).

Lifestyle, Mentality, and Staying Grounded

• Low-key approach: Despite his success, Crawford shuns entourages and lavish lifestyles. "That’s just a bill. You gotta pay all those people to be around you." ([22:08])
• On money and fame: He prefers accumulating wealth over displays of "being rich." Real wealth, he says, is peace, privacy, and security for family ([69:29]).
• Staying focused: Crawford credits his resilience and self-belief to years of being doubted. His advice to his son—and young fighters—is to act with intention ("Don’t say, 'I want to,' say, 'I will.'") ([29:43]).

On Training, Switch-Hitting & Coaching

• Unique skills: Crawford’s status as one of boxing’s best switch hitters is attributed to natural talent—despite initial resistance from coaches, he persisted until it became a signature style ([23:21]).
• Advice for coaches/mentors: Coaching must account for each fighter’s style and capacity to learn; patience and adaptability are key ([26:37]).
• Training evolution: As he matured, Crawford learned the necessity of rest and intelligent periodization: "My best days are when I don’t want to do it." ([115:53])

Reflections on Modern Boxing & the Sport

• Defending boxing artistry: Crawford and Rogan discuss how pure "hit and don’t get hit" boxers (e.g., Floyd, Shakur Stevenson) are underappreciated by casual fans ([33:13], [34:26]).
• Fight fan culture: The US often "chews up and spits out" fighters after losses, unlike the supportive UK fandom ([94:23]).
• Rise of women’s boxing: Praise for Claressa Shields’ sold-out event and her influence on women’s boxing ([110:02]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Skills pay the bills." — Crawford on overcoming size and doubters ([00:35])
• "I've been fighting for something, a title, since 2014. Now, it's just like, what's the motivation? Just money. My thing was, the money's gonna come. I was taking pay cuts after pay cuts because I knew what I wanted my legacy to be." ([15:42])
• "Everybody has to shut the fuck up now." — Rogan on Crawford’s Canelo victory ([22:50])
• On the fleeting nature of fame: "It’s temporary, and they don’t understand that. They only chant your name for a moment….and turn their back on you in a heartbeat." — Crawford ([106:15])
• On US fan culture: "America…they chew you up and spit you out." ([94:43])
• "They created a whole side of the street because of me…It was always something. But now look at everybody, all the promoters working together now." — Crawford on boxing politics ([06:25])
• "If you have it and not need it, better than need it and not have it." — Crawford on switch hitting ([26:12])

Notable Timestamps

• 00:20 – Canelo pre-fight context & beating size expectations
• 01:42 – Crawford on pre-fight doubts and being in "the zone" against Canelo
• 04:18 – Breaking down the Benavidez fight and overcoming adversity
• 06:25 – "Side of the street" politics and promoter issues
• 10:13/15:05 – Being compared to the all-time greats; legacy talk
• 17:14 – Exiting the sport healthy and on top
• 22:50 – Rogan: "Everybody has to shut the fuck up"
• 23:21–26:28 – Switch-hitting discussion, the science of stance switching
• 29:43 – Coaching and teaching advice for his son and young fighters
• 33:13–35:12 – Boxing artistry and fan perception of "pure" boxers
• 49:44–54:55 – In-depth on weight cutting in boxing vs. MMA
• 55:11–61:05 – Business, legacy, fighters, and the leverage of promoters
• 70:11–71:42 – Wealth vs. riches, life after boxing, and financial discipline
• 108:17–110:02 – How Saudi investors are making historic fights possible
• 110:02–111:43 – Claressa Shields and the rise of women's boxing
• 115:03–124:09 – Old-school training, discipline, resting as he aged

Final Reflections

• Retired but fulfilled: Crawford feels the same, "like it's supposed to," and remains focused on family and the gym ([102:45]).
• Avoiding the limelight: He’s turning down commentary/media, preferring to avoid the fame trap that brings down many athletes ([104:13]).
• Wisdom for the next generation: Legacy, self-reliance, humility, discipline, and smart business—plus the importance of the "right people" and mentorship.

Conclusion

This episode serves as both a masterclass in the mentality and practice of a generational champion and an admonition on the pitfalls of fame, money, and the unforgiving nature of fandom and promotion in combat sports. Crawford’s philosophy—do it your way, for your reasons, and walk away with your health and pride—is offered with humility and candor, making this an essential listen for fighters, fans, and anyone seeking wisdom on mastery, perseverance, and life after glory.