Terence Crawford has changed his tune about fighting Canelo Alvarez. The four-weight world champion now wants the super-middleweight clash he once rejected.
Crawford's journey to this point has been impressive. He started at 135lbs and worked his way up to 154lbs, where he recently won the WBA super-welterweight title against Israil Madrimov in August. This victory made him a four-weight world champion.
Before that, Crawford had a big win in July 2023. He stopped Errol Spence Jr in the ninth round to become the undisputed welterweight champion. But now, he's set his sights even higher.
In the past, Crawford wasn't interested in moving up to 168lbs to fight Canelo. He told Sporting News, "168? I ain't going up there." But things have changed.
Now, Crawford is eager to secure a showdown with Canelo. He even says he might retire if the fight doesn't happen. On The Porter Way Podcast, Crawford explained his motivation:
"To be honest that [Canelo] fight was my motivation."
Crawford thinks Canelo sees him as a real threat:
"If it's all about business then you doing good business. If I'm easy work, which I heard him say, then if I'm easy work you know you would make all that money that he's getting offered – but yet still he want $200m for Benavidez and he want $150m to fight me, so that just lets me know right there that I'm a threat to him and his legacy."
He believes the fight would be risky for Canelo:
"It would be crazy for a guy that started at 135 to come all the way up to 168, no catchweight, and dethrone you, so he's got that in the back of his head. It's a big risk for him."
Crawford also hinted at possible retirement if the Canelo fight doesn't happen:
"Man. It's something to talk about [retirement]. You know, there are things that we talk about. Right now I'm still doing what I do, Canelo has got a fight coming up so I never want to make it about me and Canelo."
While Crawford waits for his shot at Canelo, other fighters have their eyes on him. An unnamed boxer has expressed interest in challenging 'Bud'. The boxing world will watch closely to see if Crawford gets his dream fight with Canelo or if he'll face another opponent in the meantime.
