In the aftermath of the Errol Spence Jr. rematch falling through, Terence Crawford finds himself as a free agent, with his one-fight deal with PBC now expired.
'Bud' made history as the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era, clinching undisputed status in a second weight class.
The anticipation for a rematch with Spence at 154 pounds hit roadblocks, with hurdles including Showtime's exit from boxing and Crawford's pursuit of a bout with Canelo Alvarez. Spence's explanation of vision problems became the final straw, leading to Bud ruling out a rematch and leaving him in free agency.
‼️ Terence Crawford is reportedly now a free agent. It's claimed Crawford signed a one-fight deal with Al Haymon's PBC for Errol Spence and the scheduling window for the rematch clause has expired, meaning he is a promotional/broadcaster free agent. [According to @MikeCoppinger]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 26, 2024
With Canelo reportedly set to fight Jaime Munguia on DAZN, a PBC return seems unlikely for Crawford. His departure from Top Rank, coupled with a $10 million lawsuit citing 'revolting racial bias,' further narrows options. DAZN emerges as a potential destination, with the prospect of a fight against Canelo gaining traction.
Another avenue for Bud could be a move up to junior middleweight, targeting the WBO belt at 154. Tim Tszyu holds the title, and a potential clash with Crawford could materialize if Tszyu emerges unscathed from his non-title fight against Keith Thurman on March 30.
“The winner of that fight will have a tough cookie for his next mandatory. Let me tell you. Crawford will be here next week. We’re going to talk about that fight. I’m not authorized to tell. He loved to fight at 154, but I’m not authorized to make it public.
“I have been talking to Crawford for long now, but he’ll be in Puerto Rico this week on Friday. You are the first person I’ve talked to about the possibility of Crawford moving to 154,” WBO President Paco Valcarcel said
While the prospect of a Crawford vs. Spence rematch didn't generate much excitement, Crawford's dominance in their previous bout made it clear. Now a free agent, Crawford's next move is uncertain. Possibilities include a clash with Tszyu, a mandatory shot at the WBO title, or a potential blockbuster against Canelo.
At 36, Crawford stands as one of the best fighters of his generation, and fans hope for more high-level matchups to close out his career. The challenge lies in finding opponents who can draw the attention and anticipation that a fight with Canelo would bring. As the clock ticks on a brilliant career, the path ahead for Terence Crawford remains intriguing and full of possibilities.