Terence Crawford is only interested in fighting Canelo Alvarez, according to Eddie Hearn.
‘Bud’ could become the first three-weight undisputed champion of the four-belt era if he can unify all the major sanctioning body belts in his new division of super-welterweight, but seems more interested in other goals.
Crawford previously reigned supreme over the super-lightweight and welterweight divisions and opened his account at super-welterweight last month by snatching the WBA belt from Israil Madrimov.
He has now been handed the opportunity to take two steps closer to making boxing history after the WBO ordered their champion Sebastian Fundora – who is also in possession of the WBC title – to make a mandatory defence against Crawford.
However, Hearn doesn’t believe legacy motivates the Baltimore banger anymore.
The Matchroom boxing chief insists money is his main driving force now and anticipates Crawford will hang up his gloves unless he can land a lucrative showdown with Canelo next.
“I don’t think Terence Crawford will fight again,” Hearn told talkSPORT.com.
“Because I think he’s made really solid money in the last couple of fights.
“And I don’t think he wants to fight Vergil Ortiz, I don’t think he wants to fight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
“I think the only way Crawford will fight again is against Canelo Alvarez.
“Because he’s got used to that pay bracket and I don’t think that pay bracket exists anymore outside of Canelo Alvarez.”
Canelo vs Crawford was at the top of HE Turki Alalshikh’s boxing wishlist at the start of the year.
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However, a breakdown in communication prompted the Saudi boxing chief to retract his approach and release a lengthy statement, during which he accused Canelo of being afraid of fighting David Benavidez and Crawford.
Bridges have been rebuilt between the pair since and the fight looks a lot more plausible than it once did, although Crawford will have to wait for Canelo’s clash with Edgar Berlanga on September 14 to play out.
Crawford could box Fundora in the meantime or even surging welterweight/super-welterweight contenders Vergil Ortiz or Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, although Hearn thinks this is highly unlikely.
“The problem is when you’ve made that kind of money, to drop down and fight a young contender [would earn less],” he added.
“I think he probably looks at the Israil Madrimov fight and goes, ‘Blimey.’ Not that he got away with it, but could he could’ve lost it all there.
“He probably thinks in his mind that he’ll fight again, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t.
“They’re so inactive as well, really the plan for Crawford was to fight in February. And I don’t see that happening.
“He should be, really, if he wants to continue in the sport, but I think he’s happy to sit out until the end of next year.
“He’ll be just waiting and then if the Canelo fight comes up, great.
“In his mind, something will come up, but I don’t think he’s rushing to get back to training camp to fight Vergil Ortiz or Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.”
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News Summary:
- Terence Crawford will never fight again and Canelo Alvarez is the ‘only way’ he returns, claims Eddie Hearn
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