Who Is Next for Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford?

IBF and WBO Middleweight Champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs) is one of the belt-holders at 160 that Terence Crawford is believed to be looking at in search of his sixth division world title.

Crawford’s options

• Carlos Adames: WBC World Middleweight champion Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs). He’s a strong possibility for Crawford, as they’ve sparred in the past and he’s viewed as beatable.
• Hamzah Sheeraz: The unbeaten super middleweight contender Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) is coming off a fifth-round knockout win over Edgar Berlanga last summer on July 12th. It was easily the best career win for him. Hamzah, 26, is popular in the UK, so there’s money to be made for Bud if he selects him.
• Erislandy Lara: The 43-year-old Cuban Lara holds the WBA middleweight title. There would be less upside for Terence if he chose him, as it would give the appearance that he’s cherry-picking.
• Janibek Alimkhanuly: Considered to be the King of the 160-lb division, Janibek has past wins over Denzel Bentley, Danny Dignum, Vincenzo Gualtieri, Andrei Mikhailovich, and Anauel Ngamissenque. His punching power, southpaw stance, and skills would make him a tough task for Crawford. It would be a real fight, because Alimkhnuly wouldn’t be hesitant to attack Bud, and he wouldn’t fade after six rounds the way Canelo did.
• Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis: Apart from an improbable rematch against Canelo, ‘Boots’ Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) would be Crawford’s best option for a big payday in a fight that would be somewhat winnable. Of course, Crawford could get a mega-million purse fighting David Benavidez, but his chances of coming out victorious in one piece would be slim and none.

There is little interest from fans in a Crawford and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez rematch. Their September 13th fight was less than thrilling to watch, and the second one would likely be a similar dull affair. No one wants to see them fight again.

The Omaha, Nebraska, native, Crawford, is clearly holding onto his four super middleweight titles for a reason, hoping that the Mexican star Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) will use the rematch clause. That’s Crawford’s best and only chance for another giant payday of $50 million.