Terence Crawford has a long line of contenders and champions looking for a fight.
The 37-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska became a four-weight world champion in his most recent fight – a points win over Israil Madrimov for the WBA Super-Welterweight belt.
Prior to that, ‘Bud’ Crawford was undisputed at welterweight after a statement win over Errol Spence Jr in 2023. When a contractual rematch didn’t transpire, Crawford announced his move up, thus vacating and/or being stripped of his four titles.
One man who benefitted was interim IBF champion Jaron Ennis, who was elevated to full champion and has since made a successful defence against David Avanesyan.
‘Boots’ Ennis makes no secret of his desire to fight Crawford, first at welter and now saying he is willing to move up and join him in the 154 pound ranks.
Despite many fans and pundits believing it to be a solid match-up and a challenge for ‘Bud’, he recently spoke to the Ring Magazine and said, whilst he understands the desire, he gains nothing from taking it.
“They’re doing the right thing calling me out. I definitely get it. But I had to work so hard to get the [big] fights I got. They ain’t done half of what I did to get to me. You want me to backtrack and forget the biggest fight in boxing – me and Canelo – to fight Boots or Vergil? What am I gaining from that?
“This is like when I wanted to fight Pacquiao. I had everything to gain. I’d won multiple world titles by then and been Fighter of the Year. My record was night and day different when compared with Boots and Vergil and me and Pacquiao.
“Pacquiao was at the age where he couldn’t afford to take another loss, so fighting a guy like Terence Crawford at that point of his career wasn’t smart. I couldn’t get a Pacquiao fight even though I had multiple accomplishments, but everybody else could. I was bitter at the time, but it was a business decision. I understand now.”
Whether or not he gets his fight against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – which requires a further two-division jump in weight – remains to be seen. The Mexican superstar has said he will listen to any offers put to him and is currently in the market for a dance partner for May 2025 after a routine points victory over Edgar Berlanga to defend his unified super-middle belts.
Some in the sport feel Crawford may retire if he can’t land the bout.
