Terence Crawford was ‘knocked down’ by 21-0 opponent he called a harder puncher than Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford has never been officially knocked down, but some would dispute that.

‘Bud’ is widely considered to be boxing’s pound-for-pound best after a historic 12 months for the 38-year-old.

Crawford beat the legendary Canelo Alvarez in September after moving up two weight divisions to challenge the Mexican star.

Together with his decision victory at a Netflix event promoted by Dana White, the Nebraska native became the primary male fighter within the four-belt era to win the undisputed championship in three weight divisions.

His record now stands at 42-0 and never a single fighter has been capable of record even a knockdown on Crawford. Six years ago today, though, one man arguably must have…

• LATEST NEWS: Joe Rogan names the one UFC heavyweight who can wrestle with ‘higher than Cormier’ Gable Steveson

Terence Crawford dropped Egidijus Kavaliauskas 3 times after controversial slip ruling

On December 14, 2019, Crawford entered the ring at Madison Square Garden for his third defense of the WBO welterweight title, having won it from Jeff Horn 18 months earlier.

‘Bud’ was coming off a controversial victory over Amir Khan. While the defending champ was on top early, Crawford struck Khan low to go away the Englishman in pain. Trainer Virgil Hunter stopped the fight, resulting in a much-debated TKO.

Crawford bounced back from that strange moment in style eight months later by dropping Egidijus Kavaliauskas 3 times en path to a TKO in round nine. But that fight also sparked a debate, albeit a much different one.

The Lithuanian, who was 21-0-1 on the time, was renowned for his power and looked to have ‘Bud’ hurt at one point. Crawford was even sent down within the third round, but cries of knockdown were dismissed by the referee, who ruled it as a slip.

Some fans and pundits argued against that call within the aftermath and proceed to credit ‘Mean Machine’ because the one and only fighter to knock the legendary Crawford down.

Ultimately, though, he was unable to have his hand raised and have become the newest to fall victim to the American’s crisp mixtures.

• THROWBACK: Jon Jones congratulated Jake Paul on multi-million boxing payday amid his money feud with Dana White

Terence Crawford said Egidijus Kavaliauskas hit harder than Canelo Alvarez

On condition that some imagine the Lithuanian forced him to the canvas for the primary time, it was perhaps no surprise to listen to Crawford rate the ability of ‘Mean Machine’ highly.

In truth, speaking after his history-making victory in Las Vegas this past September, Crawford said Kavaliauskas hits harder than Canelo.

“I’ve been hit harder in an actual fight. ‘Mean Machine’ hit harder than Canelo, to me, to be honest,” he said on the post-fight press conference.

Kavaliauskas has lost two more times in his six fights because the defeat against Crawford. His most up-to-date outing within the ring was a victory over Samuel Molina in November to grow to be European welterweight champion.