At the age of 28, Terence “Bud” Crawford is a fast, hard-hitting and highly technical seven-year pro. He is the current WBO junior welterweight world champion; he won the title in his last fight in April. He is also a former WBO lightweight world champion – he won that title in March 2014, and made two successful title defenses. Terence is one of boxing’s most talented rising young stars. He had a “break out” year in 2013 with three impressive wins, and a “star making” year in 2014 – he won the WBO lightweight world title in March, made successful title defenses in June and November, and was voted “2014 Fighter of the Year” by the Boxing Writers Association of America. A BWAA press release said [Feb. 23, 2015 – excerpts]: “With three impressive victories against highly credible opponents in 2014, Omaha, Neb., native Terence “Bud” Crawford served notice that he has arrived as one of boxing’s newest and most exciting stars.” Terence’s meteoric rise continued in 2015 – on April 18, he won the vacant WBO junior welterweight world title with a sixth-round TKO against Thomas Dulorme. Then, in his native Omaha, Nebraska, Terence successfully defended the title against Dierry Jean, whom he beat by 10-round TKO. Crawford still considers Omaha his family.

He’s a role model to thousands of children. “It’s a real big because I give them hope,” he said. “I give them hope, and the courage and energy to put 120 percent into whatever they want. Makes me feel great, because I was one of those kids that was looking for that person to follow behind.” Regarding his nickname, “My mom gave it to me when I was younger – she started calling me ‘Bud’ when I was like, one.” Terence first showed his potential in an impressive amateur career: he won gold medals at the 2006 Blue & Gold Nationals and 2007 PAL Nationals, and earned a spot as an alternate on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. He had amateur wins against Danny Garcia, who went on to win the WBC and WBA super lightweight titles, Mikey Garcia, who went on to win the WBO featherweight and junior lightweight titles, and current lightweight contender Diego Magdaleno.