Terence Crawford will solely return to the ring for a money-spinning super-fight towards Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, shunning bouts towards top-tier boxers in his personal weight class.
That’s in line with Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, who talked to Elie Seckback this week concerning the pound-for-pound stars, forward of a Matchroom present Saturday that includes Diego Pacheco and Maciej Sulecki in an excellent middleweight combat at Battle Grounds in Carson, California.
“It doesn’t appear like” we’ll see Canelo vs Crawford “in the intervening time,” Hearn informed ESNews.
Canelo first should tackle Edgar Berlanga in a 168-pound world championship bout September 14 at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas.
He has made it clear already he gained’t entertain future fights till he handles his enterprise with Berlanga.
Crawford, in the meantime, fought as lately as August 3 when he out-pointed Israil Madrimov atop a Riyadh Season x Matchroom occasion at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Although Crawford and Canelo’s names have been linked since ‘Bud’ demolished Errol Spence Jr. in one of many welterweight division’s best thrashings, momentum has stalled considerably as a result of Crawford’s relative inactivity, and profitable by way of determination, quite than end.
Regardless, it’s nonetheless a combat he’s apparently hellbent on pursuing. A lot so, in line with Hearn, that he doesn’t need to entertain every other combat. It’s the cash combat, or nothing.
“I don’t suppose Crawford will combat once more, exterior of Canelo Alvarez,” stated Hearn. “I don’t suppose he has the need.”
There are different challenges at tremendous welterweight, the division wherein he lately beat Madrimov.
Vergil Ortiz is a chance, significantly as financier Turki Alalshikh and Golden Boy Promotions founder Oscar de la Hoya agreed to a Crawford vs Ortiz and Shkaur Stevenson vs William Zepeda double-header at an occasion World Boxing Information attended August 10.
“He positively gained’t combat Vergil Ortiz, in my view,” stated Hearn.
In the identical ESNews video, Ortiz’s coach Robert Garcia, who was with Hearn and Seckbach, agreed. “All he desires is the Canelo combat,” Garcia stated.
There may be additionally the distinctive menace 6-foot-7 banger Sebastian Fundora poses. The WBO lately ordered Fundora, the champion, to combat Crawford however, as WBN reported this week, it’s unclear if that combat will even go forward.
Hearn is also skeptical. “I don’t suppose [Crawford will] combat Fundora,” he stated.
Cash might need modified issues for Crawford. He made tens of tens of millions of {dollars} for combating Spence in a historic match-up in 2023, and, in line with a WBN supply with information of the state of affairs, acquired $14 million for beating Madrimov.
Competing towards fighters like Ortiz, Fundora, and even, presumably, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for much less cash, Hearn stated, wouldn’t be as thrilling for Crawford as that Canelo super-fight.
“He made some huge cash final trip, and made some huge cash towards Spence,” stated Hearn.
“I feel he’s pondering, ‘If I don’t make some huge cash, I’m completed’.”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing Information Lead Author, a 2 x Sports activities Journalist of the Yr finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Observe Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
