Crawford Ducks Ennis For Canelo – ‘Canelo Brings More To My Legacy And Bank Account’
Terence Crawford has set his sights on fighting Canelo Alvarez instead of Jaron Ennis.
Crawford could face either of the two, provided he beats Israil Madrimov on August 3. Bud chases a title in a fourth weight class as he vies for Madrimov’s WBA Junior Middleweight Title. It is Crawford’s first bout at the weight class as he seeks to follow up on the success of his last fight. He stopped Errol Spence Jr. last year to become the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era. It also made Crawford undisputed in a second weight class, following his achievements at 140.
Crawford’s Next Fight
Provided Crawford beats Madrimov, the talk will naturally turn towards his next opponent. The Saudis are happy to make the Ennis or Canelo fight, leaving Crawford with a decision to make. There is a perception that Crawford has been ducking Ennis. Boots was his IBF mandatory at 147. However, the fight never went ahead as Crawford was contractually obliged to rematch Spence. The rematch never happened, as Crawford was stripped, allowing Ennis to become the full champion.
Crawford could have stayed at 147 and faced Ennis anyway for the chance to become undisputed again. But he moved up to 154, raising suggestions he was ducking. On close inspection, an Ennis fight makes no sense. Crawford is 36, while Ennis is entering his prime at 27. A fight with Ennis offers Crawford no belts, meaning he is putting his undefeated record on the line for little reward.
Ennis has also not faced elite-level opposition to merit the fight. There are several big names at 147, such as Mario Barrios and Eimantas Stanionis. Barrios holds the WBC belt, while Stanionis has the WBA belt. Ennis could arguably clean up at 147 and become undisputed before chasing Crawford. A Canelo fight also offers more money than Ennis. Alvarez is the cash cow of the sport and has a massive fanbase that would help sell the fight.
Crawford’s Next Fight
Crawford is not a big PPV star. Before the Spence fight, which sold around 700,000 PPVs, Crawford’s best was around 200,000. A Canelo fight could sell on Cinco De Mayo or Mexican Independence Day. Alvarez is also the Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion. Crawford would have to jump up to weight classes, but a win makes him undisputed in a third weight class. That would make Crawford an all-time great. Based on everything on offer, Bud has chosen to focus on Canelo rather than Ennis.
“Where I’m at right now, I’m looking at the fight that makes the most sense, and that’s not Boots. Canelo’s going to bring way more to my legacy and way more to my bank account. Because when boxing is done, what will we have? I would have a legacy that’s something people talk about for ages. And I would have a bank account that would last for ages as well,” Crawford said
Nevertheless, it could happen if there is enough demand to see both fights. Crawford knows he does not have too much time left in the sport, meaning he must secure his financial future. With the Saudis’ potential to make those fights, Crawford could earn several paydays.
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