Terence Crawford's got his sights set on big fights and big paydays as he nears the end of his career. The 36-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, isn't messing around with just any old matchup.
Crawford's already done it all. He's won world titles in four weight classes and been undisputed champ in two. He just added another belt to his collection, becoming a world champ in his fourth weight class. But he's not done yet.
For the past year, Crawford's been chasing a fight with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. He's dead certain he'll win, too. Some folks say he's just after the money, but Crawford's not having it.
He turned down a two-fight deal with Conor McGregor that would've seen him box and do MMA. Crawford explained why he said no:
"If I needed a payday I would have took the Conor McGregor two fight deal don't you think? Y'all people say anything to come up with some crazy stuff. Canelo can fight whoever he want to. If our fight comes to fruition then it will be."
Crawford went into more detail about his chat with McGregor in a recent interview:
"Listen, man. I told Conor to his self, I said hell no. You know what I mean? Me and Conor, they called me they offered me the fight. Me and Conor got on the phone, we start politicking, trying to figure something out. I just told him, man I'm not getting in no f***ing octagon with you so you can be kicking me and elbowing me and s**t. So, he gets to laughing and s**t and he's like man, I respect that."
McGregor got where Crawford was coming from. Crawford added:
"[He told me] you respect my sport just like I respect your sport and you understand that if you get in the octagon with me you're gonna be at a disadvantage, just like if I get in the boxing ring with you I'm gonna be at a disadvantage. He was like but me would make a s**t ton of money."
But Crawford wasn't swayed by the cash:
"I said, yeah sometimes it ain't about the money. I can make money, you ain't about to be kicking me dude. That s**t ain't no joke."
So what's next for Crawford? He's still got his eye on Canelo, and word is Canelo might be open to offers. If that doesn't pan out, there's talk of a super-welterweight unification bout with Sebastian Fundora. Either way, Crawford's making it clear - he's only interested in fights that'll boost his legacy and his bank account.
