Crawford also keeps hanging around major boxing events. He was never this visible when he was active. It is hard not to look at these regular appearances and wonder if he is waiting for Turki to place an irresistible offer on the table. Crawford has a strong negotiating position. He beat Canelo and captured undisputed championships in three divisions. Those accomplishments allow him to demand a staggering comeback purse, although the names behind the belt collection become less imposing under inspection.
The version of Crawford who destroyed Errol Spence Jr. is gone. He arguably lost to Israil Madrimov and then barely beat an aging Canelo who ran out of gas after six rounds of a slow fight. Canelo landed only 99 of 354 punches and surrendered the championship rounds once his engine emptied. Bud took advantage of the Mexican star’s empty gas tank by jabbing, moving, holding, and wrestling whenever he got close. It was smart, but painfully dull. Turki must decide if that performance is worth another purse anywhere near $50 million.
A Canelo rematch also depends on the result of his October 31 fight against Christian Mbilli. If Mbilli hands Canelo his second consecutive defeat, especially through a physical beating, much of the excitement surrounding another Crawford fight disappears. Turki may still want it, but he would be financing two aging stars without much unfinished business between them.
Ryan may become Turki’s best route to Crawford if Canelo loses. Ryan brings the younger audience, social media reach, and unpredictability that Crawford lacks. If Ryan signs with Zuffa Boxing, that connection would make him an even more understandable choice from Turki’s perspective.
The risk is paying Crawford an enormous purse while Ryan supplies most of the audience and entertainment. Crawford might spend twelve rounds neutralizing Ryan with movement and clinching rather than giving Turki the spectacle he purchased. Will it be worth it to Turki if Crawford turns in another safety-first fight, leaving the paying fans angry, feeling they were ripped off?
Jaron Ennis being absent from Turki’s list is also revealing. Boots is young, large, active, and capable of forcing Crawford to fight at a sustained pace. He might beat up the aging Crawford, expose what is left, and destroy the value of future events with Ryan or Canelo. Eddie Hearn promoting Ennis may have played a part, but the sporting risk offers a simpler explanation. Canelo and Ryan are lucrative opponents Crawford may still control. Boots is the opponent who might wreck the entire Crawford business plan.
Turki probably has enough money to make Crawford reconsider retirement. The real question is how much he is prepared to spend on a 39-year-old fighter whose name and accomplishments now carry more value than the entertainment he is likely to provide.
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