That video of him hoisting Opetaia in the sand is pure gold for his image. Opetaia is a powerhouse cruiserweight, so seeing Crawford lift him like a sack of potatoes shows that old wrestling background and insane functional strength are still there. It gets people talking about how dangerous he remains.
Crawford says he is done, and maybe he is. He already turned down Jaron Ennis, which makes sense because there is nothing out there for him to prove against the younger guys. But by staying close to Turki Alalshikh and these massive international events, he keeps the door open. If a massive, absurdly lucrative opportunity ever comes along that actually interests him, he has never truly left the public eye. He is just making sure that if he ever decides to entertain an offer, the price tag stays astronomical.
It is the ultimate masterclass in staying relevant without risking a single thing. Crawford knows exactly how this industry functions. If a retired fighter stays home, the public moves on to the next big thing within months, but when you fly out to Egypt and place yourself right in the middle of a massive Riyadh Season production, you completely control the narrative.
Think about the calculation here. Crawford avoids the young, hungry challengers like Jaron Ennis, who want to use his legacy as a springboard, yet he ensures he is the most talked-about guy on the sand by hoisting an elite cruiserweight like Opetaia. It sends a loud, clear message to the promoters and the networks that Crawford remains a major physical force and a premium box-office draw.
By standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the heavyweights, Terence keeps his stock through the roof. He is positioning himself so that if he ever decides to lace up the gloves again, he does not just return for a standard payday.
BUD X OPETAIA 🤼
Just Terence Crawford and Jai Opetaia having a tussle in front of the Pyramids of Giza 😂
Glory in Giza | May 23rd | LIVE on DAZN 🥊 pic.twitter.com/CXaV0rSgbm
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 22, 2026
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