Terence “Bud” Crawford has once again etched his name into the annals of boxing history. His masterful performance against Canelo Alvarez, witnessed by millions, not only secured the undisputed super middleweight championship but also crowned him a five-division world champion. For many, this achievement solidifies his status among the sport`s all-time greats. But for a fighter like Crawford, the question is never “what have you done?” but always, “what`s next?” The landscape of boxing, ever-shifting, now presents a unique dilemma: pursue further titles in new divisions, or confront the titans whose very presence could redefine the meaning of “greatest of all time.”
Crawford`s dominance over Canelo, a spectacle of tactical brilliance and unwavering resolve, leaves little room for a compelling rematch. The path of least resistance, while lucrative, offers diminishing returns in the currency of legacy. True greatness, it seems, demands uncomfortable questions and even riskier answers. The boxing world now holds its breath, contemplating a future where Crawford either descends to conquer new weight classes or ascends to challenge fighters who, on paper, appear to defy his very dimensions.
The Quest for the Sixth Crown: Navigating the Middleweight Waters
The allure of a sixth divisional world title is a powerful motivator. Only a select few in boxing history have ever achieved such a feat. For Crawford, this would mean dropping eight pounds to the challenging 160-pound middleweight division – a weight class he has yet to formally grace. The strategic considerations here are manifold: how will his power translate? Can his notoriously fluid movement adapt to a slightly smaller frame? And who among the middleweight elite presents the most intriguing puzzle?
Carlos Adames: The Versatile Pugilist
As the WBC middleweight champion, Carlos Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) stands as a prominent target. Adames is a fighter known for his versatility, sharp timing, and precise punch placement, capable of attacking both head and body with legitimate power. He`s a switch-hitter, though perhaps not with the seamless grace that Crawford himself exhibits.
A theoretical clash with Adames offers a fascinating stylistic encounter. While Adames is the naturally larger man, Crawford’s mastery of distance and angles, coupled with his unparalleled ability to make in-fight adjustments, would likely prove decisive. Crawford would systematically dismantle Adames, patiently breaking down his defenses and exploiting any momentary lapses. One might even anticipate a late-round stoppage, a masterclass in controlled aggression culminating in a definitive victory. The sparring footage of these two from years past, a testament to their mutual skill and tenacity, hinted at a deeper, more refined tactical battle that Crawford would ultimately orchestrate.
Janibek Alimkhanuly: The Southpaw Enigma
Should the IBF and WBO middleweight champion, Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs), unify titles, he would become a prime target. A southpaw vs. southpaw entanglement, this matchup would be less a chess match and more a “sword fight” – every movement precise, every moment loaded with danger. Alimkhanuly, with his 5-foot-11½ frame, boasts impressive hand speed, power, and surgical accuracy. He’s a master counterpuncher who punishes mistakes with cold efficiency.
This fight would test Crawford`s adaptability to its absolute limits. Alimkhanuly`s quickness and timing would demand split-second decisions and put Crawford`s defensive instincts under severe scrutiny. However, Crawford`s wealth of experience and higher caliber of past opposition cannot be overstated. Alimkhanuly, despite his dominance, has only gone the 12-round distance once, raising questions about his fortitude in the “deep waters” against a relentless, intelligent adversary like Crawford. While Alimkhanuly possesses the tools to make it a torrid affair, Crawford`s superior ring IQ and proven endurance would likely see him edge out a hard-fought split decision. It would be a brutal dance, but Crawford, as ever, finds a way.
Erislandy Lara: The Artful Dodger
Erislandy Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs), the WBA middleweight champion, represents a high-risk, low-reward proposition for Crawford, save for the opportunity to add another world title. At 42, Lara still operates at an elite level, renowned for his notoriously difficult, defensive style. His lateral movement and pinpoint counterpunching make him a frustrating puzzle, often leading opponents to look less than stellar against him.
Lara`s matching 75-inch reach to Crawford`s means both fighters would engage in a cerebral battle for positioning. Lara`s strategy would be to frustrate, to control range and pace with minimal offensive output, hoping to lure Crawford into a tactical error. But Crawford is far too intelligent and disciplined for such traps. He would systematically hunt, cut off the ring, and attack the body, eventually cornering the elusive Cuban. Crawford`s ability to adapt and dissect, mixing aggression with calculated patience, would ultimately lead to a clear-cut unanimous decision. It might not be a highlight-reel knockout, but it would be a testament to Crawford`s unparalleled ring generalship.
Clash of Titans: The Ultimate Legacy Builders
Beyond the pursuit of additional titles lie challenges that transcend divisions, fights that could cement Crawford`s legacy not just as a great, but potentially as the greatest. These are matchups of immense risk, demanding every ounce of skill, determination, and willpower. This is where legends are truly forged, or, as history occasionally reminds us, where they meet their limits.
David Benavidez: The Relentless “Mexican Monster”
A clash with David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs), currently the WBC light heavyweight champion, feels like a boxing fan`s fever dream. While Benavidez now campaigns at 175 pounds, a hypothetical return to 168 pounds for a showdown with Crawford would be nothing short of a “world stopper.” Benavidez brings a ferocious energy and an intense mental belief into the ring, mirroring Crawford`s own iron will.
Benavidez`s imposing size (6-foot-2, 74½-inch reach) and relentless offensive pressure would force Crawford to tap into a deeper level of competitiveness. Benavidez thrives on volume, dismantling high guards with combinations and shrinking the ring with stalking steps, systematically breaking down opponents` bodies, legs, and, ultimately, their willpower. He offsets their technical rhythm until nothing is left. This isn`t just physical pressure; it`s educated, purposeful, punishing pressure. While Crawford is arguably the more skilled fighter, Benavidez`s sheer will and physical advantages create a daunting equation. This matchup is a true 50/50, a physically grueling “hell on earth” where every second is a test of survival. Yet, to bet against “Bud” Crawford, even against a leviathan like Benavidez, feels almost sacrilegious.
Dmitry Bivol: The Cerebral Assassin
Crawford`s audacious leap to super middleweight against Canelo was a defining moment. But if Benavidez represents a physical peak, Dmitry Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) – IBF, WBO, WBA light heavyweight champion, and the man who handed Canelo his second career loss – represents the ultimate cerebral challenge. This fantasy matchup would push Crawford to his absolute intellectual and tactical limits.
Bivol doesn`t rely on brute physicality; he outmaneuvers. His power, unlike Crawford`s, isn`t concussive but accurate, fast, and sharp, wearing opponents down with timing and angles. He stood firm against Artur Beterbiev`s feared power, a testament to his composure and discipline. Against Bivol, Crawford`s celebrated power might not carry the same effect. Bivol`s mastery of fundamentals, poise, superior footwork, and distance control would neutralize Crawford`s slight reach advantage. His in-and-out movement makes him difficult to time, his tight guard and pinpoint jab make closing the distance a laborious task.
This would be a high-speed chess match where every step, feint, and punch is meticulously calculated. Bivol forces his opponents to lead, drawing them in to exploit openings. In a southpaw stance, Crawford would be vulnerable to Bivol`s crisp right hand, a punch he times expertly against lefties. The battle for positioning would be mentally and physically exhausting. Against Bivol, there`s no rhythm to break, only layers of discipline and control. Ultimately, Bivol`s style, combined with his natural size, might just be the one combination that can neutralize everything that makes Crawford exceptional. This is perhaps Crawford`s toughest statistical challenge, a true stylistic nightmare where Bivol`s unique brand of greatness edges out the pound-for-pound king.
The Rising Tide: Defending the Throne at Super Middleweight
With Crawford now king of the 168-pound division, the dynamic shifts. He is no longer solely the hunter; he is also the hunted. A new generation of contenders eyes his throne, eager to make their mark against the pound-for-pound king.
Hamzah Sheeraz: The Towering Contender
Among the rising stars like Diego Pacheco and Christian Mbilli, Hamzah Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) stands out. His recent breakout performance against Edgar Berlanga highlighted his potential, showcasing calm footwork, intelligent positioning, and a rare ability to control range despite his towering 6-foot-3 frame.
A Crawford vs. Sheeraz matchup would be fascinating due to the sheer size difference. Sheeraz towers over Crawford by a full seven inches, yet Crawford’s 75-inch reach remarkably matches Sheeraz`s. This neutralizes one of the usual advantages that come with height. Crawford, the ultimate locksmith of the ring, has already proven his ability to outbox taller fighters like Viktor Postol, using superior timing and distance control to dismantle their offense without having to get inside. Sheeraz is effective at shortening his punches, delivering fast and compact uppercuts and hooks in the pocket – an unusual trait for a fighter of his height. However, Crawford is a master anticipator, capitalizing on such adjustments. The fight would likely be competitive early, but Crawford`s experience and unparalleled ability to negate an opponent`s strengths would see him pull away in the later rounds, likely securing a late stoppage as Sheeraz runs out of answers.
Terence Crawford`s journey through boxing has always been defined by his audacious pursuit of challenges. Having conquered yet another division, his path forward is not just about accumulating belts; it`s about solidifying a legacy that will be debated for generations. Whether he seeks new divisional gold in the middleweight ranks, confronts the towering threats of Benavidez and Bivol, or defends his super middleweight throne against hungry contenders, “Bud” Crawford`s next move promises to be a strategic masterpiece, a testament to a fighter forever chasing the next impossible dream. The grand chessboard awaits its next move.
Nathan Blackwood 
Connor Westbrook