Terence Crawford once ruled out fighting any higher than 154 pounds, but recent hype surrounding a fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez has tempted him to go further.
‘Bud’ won the undisputed welterweight championship in incredible style, beating Errol Spence Jr via ninth round stoppage in a fight that was billed 50/50 but ended up much more one-sided.
Despite a contractual rematch clause that he may need to satisfy, Crawford has made it clear that he wants to become four-belt champion in a third division before he retires.
He told Joe Rogan about his initial plan.
“You know Canelo and Jermell fighting. I wanted to fight Jermell next since he was the 154 undisputed champion, but they gonna strip him for his belt when the bell rings.”
Since Charlo – who is currently undisputed at 154 – will no longer be undisputed unless he beats Canelo at 168 on September 30, Crawford now has eyes on that weight-class.
“So now I need to shift gears, because I know I wanted to fight Jermell, but if he lose to Canelo… I always said man that’s a big step, but for a person to go up three weight classes from 147 to 168, and to win and become undisputed, wow. What can they say? They can’t say nothing right now, but what can they say?
Three-time undisputed champion and the smaller fighter that went up three weight divisions to conquer one of the baddest men that’s being doing it for probably longer than me.”
Crawford confirmed he was now talking about 168 despite previously ruling it out, and that he was targetting whoever won the undisputed bout.
He’s confident of two things – that he has the skill to win, and that it would be the biggest fight in the sport.
“I would definitely have to gain weight. I just believe in my abilities. Canelo’s not a big guy, he’s five-eight. He’s muscular, but as far as height, nah. That wouldn’t be nothing that… We’d have to see.
“I think it could happen. To be honest, I think that’s the biggest fight in boxing if he beat Charlo.”
“I’m ready now. People think it’s all about weight, but I think it’s skill. I’ve got the power to make anybody respect me, I don’t care what your weight is.”
All eyes now turn to Las Vegas on September 30, where ‘Bud’ Crawford will no doubt be watching from ringside.