Terence Crawford has been linked to a return to the sport throughout 2026 and now former unified welterweight world champion Keith Thurman has revealed an off-camera conversation that he had with the 39-year-old, discussing a potential comeback.
Crawford overcame Canelo Alvarez last September to become the first post-war three-division undisputed world champion; an achievement which ‘Bud’ seemed happy to end his career on, announcing his retirement from boxing just three months later.
Yet, Crawford has since been mentioned for a super-welterweight showdown with unified 154lb world champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who could later provide the Omaha southpaw with the opportunity to claim the undisputed crown in a fourth weight-class.
Speaking with FightHype, Thurman detailed a recent conversation that he had with the Omaha southpaw, where he denied the possibility of a return – not that ‘One Time’ believed him.
“We were all messing with Crawford when we were not on TV and stuff and we were like, ‘yo bro, you definitely look like you want to be in the ring, you do not look like a dude that is retired.’
“He was like, ‘nah, there is no purpose, blah, blah, blah,’ he sounds content but Andre Ward didn’t believe him, Shakur Stevenson didn’t believe him and I didn’t believe him.
“I don’t know who is going to pull him out of retirement but I feel like he could do one of those comebacks, for the people, for the fans.”
For Ennis to be able to offer Crawford a shot at the undisputed throne, he must first overcome IBF ruler Josh Kelly, whom he is expected to take on in January, and then reigning WBC super-welterweight world champion Sebastian Fundora, in order to take control of all four belts in the division.
As for Thurman, he returns to action in December when he faces Vergil Ortiz, another man that has been regularly linked to a fight with Ennis.
