Terence “Bud” Crawford, following his recent victory, is reportedly offering a rematch to Errol Spence at 147. However, if Spence declines, Crawford has ambitious plans to move up to 168 and challenge the super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez. Steven Nelson, a close associate of Crawford, shared these insights, though many believe Crawford’s aspirations to face Canelo might be far-fetched. Canelo himself has dismissed the idea, stating there’s little for him to gain from such a bout.
For Crawford to earn a shot against Canelo, he would likely need to prove himself against the likes of David Benavidez, David Morrell Jr., and Demetrius Andrade. Simply moving up to 168 without facing these top contenders might not secure him the coveted match. The consensus is that Crawford won't get a direct shot at Canelo without first navigating through these formidable opponents.
The rematch with Spence, however, seems more plausible. With a potential $20 million payday on the line, Spence might be willing to meet Crawford’s terms. Nelson took to social media to state, “Bud is offering Errol a fight at 147. If he doesn’t take it... Bud wants to move up three weight classes to beat Canelo.” He further hinted at a potential undisputed bout with Charlo at 168, depending on the outcome of Charlo’s fight with Canelo.
While Crawford’s intentions remain unclear, he does have the advantage of dictating the terms for the Spence rematch, thanks to his recent win. Rumors suggest that Crawford might consider moving the rematch to 154 if Spence offers the right incentives. However, if Crawford insists on the 147 weight class, it could be seen as a strategic move to capitalize on Spence’s previous weight-cutting struggles.
In the midst of these speculations, many believe Crawford should focus on tangible opportunities, such as defending his IBF title against mandatory challenger Jaron “Boots” Ennis. Moving up to 154 also presents a range of potential opponents, though none with the PPV allure that a fight with Spence or Canelo would bring. Whatever the decision, Crawford's next move will be keenly watched by boxing enthusiasts worldwide.
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