Terence Crawford has made it clear that his goal in the sport is to move up two weight classes from his current standing to face Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez.
The 36-year-old from Omaha announced that desire following his undisputed win over Errol Spence Jr at 147 and recently had a successful debut at 154 – a world title win against Israil Madrimov – to make a tentative step in size towards the Mexican, who currently holds three of four belts at 168.
Despite significant intrigue, talks have ground to a halt with Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh saying he was ‘no longer interested’ in making it due to the fact that Canelo wasn’t prepared to take big challenges.
Speaking during an interview with Charlie Parsons, Alalshikh said that a fight with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis was not top of the list for ‘Bud’ and also that he feels an offer to face Vergil Ortiz Jr will be turned down. In fact, he believes the only man to get him in the ring again may be Canelo.
“Great fight [Crawford-Ennis] but not the top fight we want to see … I don’t think Crawford will fight anyone except Canelo. This is my opinion. This is what I feel, but it is about him. We gave him an offer for [Vergil] Ortiz and I don’t know if he will take it or not. We have an agreement to do a big fight for Ortiz if Crawford doesn’t take the fight … But I don’t think [Crawford] will take it. I think he only wants Canelo. I understand that. I respect all the fighters. Sometimes the people don’t understand my character. I am in the camp of the fighters.”
Crawford has previously hinted that he would consider retirement if the Canelo fight truly is off the table, but many felt he would stick around at super-welterweight instead and look to become undisputed in a third division.
If that’s not the case, all eyes move back to Alalshikh and whether or not he will look to try again. Canelo has said he will not enter talks while he has a fight coming up – Edgar Berlanga, September 14 – but will consider the fight if the money is right.
