Terence Crawford became a four-weight world champion this month by beating Israil Madrimov and an offer was made to Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez to face him next.
The 36-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska had made it clear that facing the Mexican a further two divisions up was his ultimate goal, but Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh promptly rescinded the offer he sent.
Canelo believes it was because he turned down the opportunity to meet and discuss the fight in favour of focusing on his unified title defence against Edgar Berlanga on September 14. Alalshikh says the Mexican, also a four-division champ, is afraid of big challenges and only wants ‘show fights.’
During an interview with The Porter Way Podcast, ‘Bud’ Crawford was asked who he may look to face next instead and his answer was WBC and WBO 154 Champion Sebastian Fundora.
“It would definitely be Fundora if him and [Errol] Spence don’t fight. It would definitely be Fundora.”
Despite being initially called to face Crawford when he had decided to move up in weight, six foot 5 Fundora had instead entered talks with Errol Spence Jr – the man Crawford beat to become undisputed one division down.
There has been some talk of potential retirement for Spence instead, but Fundora, speaking to FightHype, hinted that there would be an announcement as to that fight soon, confirming Crawford was not in his immediate plan.
“I’m ready to fight whenever they give me the date … I didn’t watch [Crawford-Madrimov] … If we get that fight I’d love it, but right now we have a different path. They’ll announce it for you guys. Everybody wants to announce everything like they know the information before me so I’m not even gonna say anything.”
Fundora, pending a potential deal, may lose the WBO belt for facing Spence.
With that fight off the table for Crawford assuming Spence does make it official, fans will call for him to face Jaron Ennis. ‘Boots’ picked up the IBF Welterweight World Title when ‘Bud’ vacated, but says he is willing to move up to make the fight.
