“Fight of a lifetime” – Mike Tyson calls on Crawford to face an undefeated opponent in his next bout.
Crawford’s Next Move: Mike Tyson Urges ‘Bud’ to Face Undefeated Star
Terence Crawford has enjoyed an extraordinary run in his professional boxing career so far. After moving up two weight classes to challenge Canelo Álvarez in September, ‘Bud’ emerged victorious, capturing the undisputed super-middleweight crown.
By claiming the division’s top honor, Crawford became the first male boxer in the four-belt era to achieve undisputed status in three different weight classes.
Although there were rumors suggesting that ‘Bud’ was considering retirement, new reports indicate otherwise.
According to renowned sports journalist Chris Mannix, the Omaha native is eyeing a return to the ring in March 2026.
As speculation builds over who his next opponent might be, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was asked who he’d like to see Crawford face.
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Tyson told Hard Rock Bet:
“I want to see Crawford fight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis. I want to see him fight one of the Charlo brothers too.
I want to see Boots take a test — Charlo, one of those guys. The Charlo brothers are up at 154 pounds.
Let him challenge one of them. I want to see him be tested.
I want to see him knocked down, go back to his corner, and take a deep breath.”
However, a clash with Ennis appears unlikely in the immediate future, especially after previous negotiations between the two fell through in July 2023.
At the time, both fighters competed at 147 lbs, and Crawford was ordered to defend his IBF title against ‘Boots’. The bout, however, never materialized.
Even so, should that matchup be revisited down the line, it would undoubtedly be a massive showdown between two elite American fighters.
Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, said:
“For me, that’s a fight for the ages — Crawford versus Ennis.
But we have to prove ourselves first. Terence will only fight ‘Boots’ if there’s serious money on the table because he knows how good Ennis is.
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He’s not taking any more fights unless they come with a big payday.
Boots needs to earn his shot at Crawford — but that’s a fight I see happening in nine to twelve months, maybe three fights down the line.”
For now, Ennis continues to rise through the ranks after making a devastating debut at super welterweight on October 11.
Meanwhile, talk of a Crawford–Canelo rematch has surfaced, but the Mexican superstar’s return has been delayed until 2026 due to an elbow injury.
Given the current landscape, the most likely path for Crawford could be a move down to middleweight in pursuit of a world title in a sixth weight division.
If that happens, WBO and IBF champion Janibek Alimkhanuly could be next — provided he first gets past Erislandy Lara on December 6.
Crawford has already hinted at the possibility, saying in a video with Janibek’s manager:
“I got my eyes on you, Janibek. Good luck.”
