“I just can’t grasp myself going into a fight unprepared… especially against this guy that people been putting me against for five years.”

Crawford made the comments during an appearance on Ring Champs / All The Smoke Fight, where he also revealed he had already decided to retire before facing Canelo Alvarez, with only a handful of people aware of the decision.

The four-weight undisputed champion said the emotion of beating Canelo hit him before the official verdict was even announced.

“Before they even said that, I already knew I won… I just was thinking about the journey. The whole flash of my career just was going through my head.”

The interview also covered Crawford’s transition into broadcasting, where he said he intends to deliver honest analysis without favoritism. He also identified Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney, Keyshawn Davis, Gervonta Davis and Abdullah Mason as the fighters he believes will lead boxing’s next generation.

Away from the ring, Crawford discussed his work with Pipeline Worldwide to help build a learning and maternal health center in Moyo, on the border of Uganda and South Sudan.

“A plastic bottle is a luxury to them… I just wanted to help out because if I’m blessed enough to help out, that’s all it takes.”

Crawford also dismissed speculation linking him to a Turkey-backed rematch with Canelo Alvarez, reiterating that his retirement decision had already been made before that fight.

The interview closes one chapter of Crawford’s career while reopening one of boxing’s biggest rivalries through his response to Spence’s explanation for their undisputed showdown.