Terence Crawford has his sights set on Canelo Alvarez, but he's not lacking options. The undefeated four-division champion has been fielding challenges from all angles lately, including a callout from former UFC champ Conor McGregor for a boxing-MMA series. Crawford, however, has made it clear - he’s not stepping into an Octagon to get kicked around. While the potential McGregor showdown could generate massive pay-per-view numbers, Crawford doesn't seem too interested in mixing sports.
McGregor, known for his loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2017, hasn't fought in the UFC since 2021. The idea of him jumping into the ring with Crawford is seen by many, like Paulie Malignaggi, as just another payday for the Irishman. Malignaggi didn't hold back, calling McGregor "the prostitute of combat sports," and questioned why he keeps seeking these one-sided matchups. Chris Algieri chimed in, too, saying Crawford would do real damage to McGregor if they fought, especially given Crawford's killer instinct compared to Mayweather's more defensive approach.
Just listen to these punches by Terence Crawford: Watch
While the McGregor talk swirls, there’s also the looming possibility of Crawford taking on WBO/WBC 154-pound champ Sebastian Fundora. Crawford has requested a 10-day extension to negotiate with Fundora, a fight that could take place this winter.
Fundora presents an intriguing challenge for Crawford, but it's a fight many see as winnable. If Crawford can defeat him, he'll be in prime position to unify the division. The next step would be to face the winner of the October 19 clash between Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF title.
At 37, Crawford is nearing the end of his career, but he remains in the driver's seat. With multiple options on the table, including the potential of ruling another division at 154, Crawford has the chance to make history once again - whether it's against Fundora, Tszyu, or a future showdown with Canelo.
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