Terence Crawford appears to have made his mind up over who he wants to fight following his victory over Canelo Alvarez in September.
Speculation has grown over who ‘Bud’ could choose to take on next, and it seems that unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, 17-0 (12 KOs) is the man who is now in his crosshairs.
The moustached maestro puts his IBF and WBO world titles on the line against Cuban veteran slickster and WBA champion Erislandy Lara in an all-southpaw battle on December 6. The Premier Boxing Champions card, taking place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, is headlined by the super-lightweight matchup between Isaac Cruz and Lamont Roach.
Janibek vs. Lara is one of the most significant fights in the current middleweight landscape. WBC titleholder Carlos Adames could be waiting in the wings for the winner, giving the 160lb division the chance to produce its first four-belt champion since Jermain Taylor in 2005.
The opportunity to become undisputed in another division could then interest Crawford, 42-0 (31 KOs), who is just two months removed from the greatest victory of his career – against Canelo – which saw him capture the super-middleweight title quartet and take the belts back home to Omaha, Nebraska.
Speaking after his historic win at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Crawford made his feelings known.
“I’m going to sit down with my team, and we are going to discuss what is next in the future for Terence Crawford. Who knows? I might go down to 160lbs.”
During a recent event, ‘Bud’ was seated next to Janibek’s manager, Egis Klimas, and he appeared to hint at Crawford’s next move.
“We’re here next looking for you. Looking for December 6 [and] how you gonna do it.”
Crawford then replied with a clear message.
“I got my eyes on you Janibek. Good luck!”
Could we see Crawford ringside in Texas next month for Janibek-Lara, scouting his next target? It would be a much-needed boost for a middleweight division that has lacked star power in recent years.
