Boxing star Terence Crawford declares his love for Gold Coast, Australia ahead of visit

Terence Crawford is one of the biggest names in sport - and he is teaming up with Gold Coast’s Jai Opetaia for a special event. Read the exclusive interview

He is one of the biggest sporting superstars on the planet who will pocket $80 million for his next fight in September.

Terence Crawford could afford to travel anywhere in the world, but the American boxing sensation will arrive on the Gold Coast on Monday in a massive sporting coup for Australia.

In an exclusive interview with this masthead, Crawford is keen to hit the Gold Coast beaches, visit Sea World and meet a koala before going into camp for his $200 million blockbuster fight against Mexican legend Canelo Alvarez.

It is being dubbed one of the biggest fights in boxing history.

But first Crawford wants to sample life Down Under, starting with his maiden stop on the Gold Coast before moving on to Melbourne and Sydney as part of a five-day holiday before his return to the US.

“I can’t wait to meet the people of Australia and the Gold Coast,” said Crawford, who lands in Australia on Monday morning.

“It’s a place I’ve never been to before.

“Australia has been on my to-do list for a while now and I’ve been told the Gold Coast is one of the best places one earth.

“I’ve heard about the beaches and I’ve always wanted to see a koala bear, so I can’t wait to get there.”

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt stayed on the Gold Coast as a Commonwealth Games ambassador in 2018, while NFL icon Tom Brady embarked on a promotional tour of Australia last year.

American boxer Terence Crawford is on the Gold Coast. “Australia has been on my to-do list for a while now and I’ve been told the Gold Coast is one of the best places one earth.” (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Now the Glitter Strip is ready to welcome ‘Bud’ Crawford.

The 37-year-old is regarded as the greatest pound-for-pound boxer in the world today.

The pugilistic professor is unbeaten in 17 years since turning pro in 2008, winning 41 consecutive bouts, 31 by knockout, including a world-title demolition of Australian Jeff Horn, who famously beat Manny Pacquiao, in 2018.

Crawford is a four-division world champion. The Nebraska fighter is also one of only two men in history to have been crowned undisputed champion in two separate weight classes, winning all four belts in the super lightweight and welterweight divisions.

Despite his greatness, Crawford is touching down in Australia without the trimmings. There will be no entourage, PR minders or beefed-up security guards watching his every move. Bud is coming alone without his wife and six kids.

He will fly into the Gold Coast for two speaking gigs, starting at a Burleigh gym owned by trainer Fidel Tukel, before heading to Star casino where he will headline an event with Australian world champion Jai Opetaia.

Terence Crawford speaks during a news conference after his ninth-round TKO over Jeff Horn to win their WBO welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now he’s on the Gold Coast for a special speaking event. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

“It’s massive that Terence is coming here, absolutely massive,” Opetaia said.

“I will be doing a dinner with him and why wouldn’t he want to come here, the Gold Coast is where the best fights happen and it will be great to see Bud in Australia.

“Crawford is a global superstar. He is arguably the greatest fighter of this generation. Technically, he is simply freakish. To be undisputed in two divisions, wrap your head around that.

“He is a machine.”

Crawford backed Opetaia to win his upcoming fight on the Gold Coast on June 8 and is confident of beating Alvarez. His Australian getaway is his last slice of downtime before he goes into camp for the biggest fight of his decorated career.

“Jai has been doing really well, I like him as a boxer,” Crawford said.

“This is a huge fight for me against Canelo.

WBO champion Terence Crawford walks in the ring after defeating Shawn Porter in a welterweight title fight at Michelob ULTRA Arena on November 20, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

“I’m going up in weight and we know how great Canelo is, but if I become undisputed in three weight classes, it wouldn’t get much bigger than that.

“I’m not sure if this is my last fight. I will wait and see. I might have one or two more after this one.”

Former Australian boxer Grant Brown is a personal friend of Crawford’s and helped organise his trip to the Gold Coast and Australia.

“It’s a massive moment for Australian sporting fans to have Terence Crawford coming to our country,” Brown said.

“He is a very humble guy, really down to earth and Aussie fans will love meeting an all-time great.

“Terence’s wife is worried he will get eaten by a crocodile but I’ve assured her he will be safe.”