3 next fights we want for Terence Crawford and 1 we don’t

As a longtime boxing enthusiast who’s witnessed countless fights and seen many great champions come and go, I must say that the current state of the sport is quite intriguing. Terence Crawford, the pound-for-pound champion, seems to be at a crossroads in his career, with potential matches against some exciting contenders like Patrick Tszyu, Johnathan Gonzalez Fundora, Vergil Ortiz Jr., and Jaron “Boots” Ennis.

Terence “Bud” Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), one of boxing’s pound-for-pound elite fighters, made his highly anticipated return to the ring on August 3 in front of a sizeable crowd at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The two-time undisputed champion headlined one of the better cards in recent memory from top to bottom as the first U.S.-based Riyadh Season card put together by Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, with the help of various promoters. In the main event, the former welterweight kingpin defeated Israil Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) for the WBA junior middleweight title to become a four-division titleholder. The victory puts Crawford in rare company, joining fighters like Roberto Duran, Oscar De La Hoya, and Pernell Whitaker as former lightweight champions to win a title at junior middleweight. 

Despite being a clear winner and heavily favored, Crawford’s match against Madrimov was his most challenging in years due to Madrimov’s persistent attacks. For the first time since July 2016, when he faced Victor Postol in a junior welterweight unification bout, Crawford went the full distance of the fight. Throughout the contest, Madrimov consistently landed right hooks and kept the match close. Although Crawford won, this fight somewhat dented his image as an invincible boxing prodigy.

“Israel proved to be a formidable adversary, according to Crawford,” the statement said following the match. “I expected him to be tough, as I had researched him before our encounter in Uzbekistan. He’s remarkably strong and resilient; he withstood many solid punches. He managed to take me to round 12. He had quick footwork, a smooth rhythm when punching, and was physically robust. And he was strategically waiting for his chance to counterattack, much like I was looking to counter him as well.”

Focus now shifts on what Terence Crawford might plan next, as it appears his fighting days may be dwindling given he’s nearing the end of his career. Based on his pattern since 2019, when he last fought more than once in a year, fans probably witnessed his four-division title reign for the final time in 2024 and will only catch him competing once in 2025.

On Fansided MMA, we’ll be analyzing the top three opponents we’d like to face off against Crawford, as well as one we’d prefer he doesn’t meet in the ring.

3 next fight for Terence Crawford we want to see

1. Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs)

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but marvel at Crawford’s remarkable boxing journey, stacked with numerous achievements. What captivates me most is his unyielding ambition to claim the title of a three-time undisputed champion. If that dream is to be realized, the fight that should ignite my television screen next is against Sebastian Fundora, the current WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion. This towering titlist is one of boxing’s most electrifying performers, making him a tricky adversary due to his impressive height and reach. In a division where tall fighters are scarce, Fundora stands out like a beacon. It’s not every day we see boxers over six feet tall, let alone at junior middleweight.

Following a defeat against Brian Mendoza in 2023 that ended in a stoppage during round seven, Fundora staged an impressive comeback earlier this year. Stepping in at short notice for retired welterweight champion Keith Thurman, Fundora took on Tim Tszyu for the chance to claim two world titles. In a grueling contest, Fundora emerged victorious with the championships, pulling off a shocking upset that significantly altered the trajectory of his career.

After Tszyu’s battle, Errol Spence is speculated as a potential contender for Fundora’s next fight. But it’s important to note that no official announcements have been made yet. There are rumors about Spence losing interest in fighting, which could cause this match-up to be delayed. If that happens, Terence Crawford might take the opportunity to face Fundora and claim three of the four significant titles at junior middleweight by doing so. Following Crawford’s impressive victory over Madrimov, Fundora’s promoter appears keen on arranging a showdown between his boxer and the pound-for-pound champion.

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “I couldn’t help but notice that Crawford isn’t the same fighter he used to be, as I reflected upon our recent match against Madrimov, according to Sampson Lewkowicz, Fundora’s promoter.”

Crawford’s victory over Madrimov, particularly his strong finish in the final two rounds, might have worked to his advantage rather than against it. This bout, marking his first time going the distance in nearly a decade, has sparked interest among other fighters, who now view him as a more challenging yet potentially conquerable adversary.

2. Vergil Ortiz Jr. (21-0, 21 KOs)

Vergil Ortiz Jr., an exciting up-and-coming boxer, is poised to become a future boxing legend. His perfect record and every fight ending in a knockout demonstrate his immense potential. On August 10, Ortiz will compete for the interim WBC junior middleweight title against Serhii Bohachuk from Ukraine. If he wins, it could pave the way for a highly anticipated matchup with Crawford. During Crawford’s fight against Madrimov, Turki Alalshikh expressed interest in setting up Ortiz as one of Crawford’s potential opponents.

At 26 years old, Ortiz’s career has been marked by ups and downs, as various injuries and illnesses have delayed his progress. A bout with Crawford is not simply another fight, but a potential moment symbolizing the transfer of power. Ortiz’s crowd-pleasing approach guarantees an unforgettable encounter, regardless of the outcome.

3. Jaron “Boots” Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs)

The match fans have demanded of Crawford the most is against Jaron Ennis. The Philadelphia fighter holds the IBF welterweight title and has all the skills and athleticism to be favored over almost any fighter at both welterweight and junior middleweight. He has had little to no trouble with any opponent thus far and has shown the same level of dominance with each increasing step up in competition. Ennis’ issues have been centered around his lack of activity. For a fighter on the rise and looking to establish himself as the star of boxing’s next generation, fighting once and twice a year has done him harm.

Fortunately, he’s a fighter who spends so much time at the gym that it feels like his second home, always ensuring that his skills remain sharp. The prospect of facing Crawford is fascinating given their comparable abilities. Both fighters possess impressive mental fortitude and a unique blend of technique and athleticism, which is rare to find in more than one fighter per weight class. With several opponents available at the junior middleweight division, it’s unlikely that Crawford will decide to return to the welterweight category. Ennis has the opportunity to move up in weight, and such a matchup with Crawford wouldn’t be less enticing as a result.

1 fight we want Terence Crawford to avoid

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs)

After his bout with Errol Spence, Crawford, who was the undisputed champion at the time, expressed his desire to face off against four-division champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, a highly renowned boxer outside of the heavyweight division. Known as a Mexican superstar, Canelo generates widespread interest whenever he steps into the ring. However, his loss to Dmitri Bivol in May 2021 and subsequent performances have slightly diminished his status as the best fighter pound-for-pound. Nevertheless, he remains elite and boasts an exceptional record in boxing, surpassing other contenders by a significant margin.

As a passionate fan, I’d say that a showdown between Crawford and Alvarez isn’t necessarily a historic fight in my eyes. For Crawford, it’s a valuable opportunity that could enhance his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of our time with a win, boosting his exposure against such a renowned opponent. However, for Alvarez, it seems more like a lucrative payday than a chance to cement his place in boxing history.

“To make things clear, Crawford is indeed an exceptional boxer,” Alvarez stated on Sway’s Universe radio show. “However, in my weight category, I find the match to be quite straightforward and financially beneficial for me.”

Luckily, Alalhsikh, an influential personality in the boxing community, who played a significant role in bringing the Canelo-Crawford match to the table, recently announced that he is no longer pursuing the fight after Crawford’s bout with Madrimov.

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2024-08-07 22:13