Roy Jones Jr has encouraged Terence Crawford to secure one last lucrative showdown, even if it happens to be against a somewhat unconventional opponent.
Like many, the pound-for-pound legend believes that Crawford simply has nothing left to prove, and is perhaps just one fight away from calling time on his scintillating career.
Indeed, the three-division undisputed champion has already cemented his legacy, especially after jumping up two weight classes to dethrone Canelo Alvarez this past September.
Despite giving up a clear size advantage, and being widely pegged as the underdog, Crawford produced a masterful display to claim all four major titles at 168lbs.
A ninth-round finish over Errol Spence Jr, too, has only added to Crawford’s greatness, with his dominant victory back in 2023 seeing him reign supreme at 147lbs.
But now, it appears that the 38-year-old, who has recently expressed his interest in targeting a sixth weight division, could soon go one step further.
Just a few weeks ago, Crawford called out unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, who will look to claim a third title against WBA belt-holder Erislandy Lara on December 6.
But while this seems to be a serious option for Crawford, Roy Jones Jr has suggested that the Nebraskan should instead turn his attention towards UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Whether this potential crossover matchup has any legs remains to be seen, but Jones has nonetheless highlighted Topuria as a possible opponent for Crawford.
In an interview with Titanplay, the multi-weight world champion said that ‘Bud’ should face the MMA star before sailing off into the sunset.
“If he retires next, it’d be the best thing. Had I retired after I beat Antonio Tarver the first time, we wouldn’t be having conversations about the greatest of all time. And we still shouldn’t, because facts are facts.
“But if Crawford does anything more, that’s what he should do [fight Ilia Topuria]. He deserves the reward at this time.
“Look how long he waited before he got the attention he has now. He deserves one more of those. If anything, that’s what he should do.”
A fight between Crawford and Topuria does seem unlikely, and nowhere near the money-spinner that was Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor, with the potential clash against Janibek still seemingly the frontrunner.
