By Ismail Chunara: The night was August 19, 2017, when Terrance Crawford squared off against Namibia’s Julius Indongo at The Pinnacle Bank Arena in Crawford’s hometown of Nebraska. Crawford possessed the WBC and WBO 140lb titles, and Indongo had the IBF and WBA titles. Crawford made light work off his opponent in stopping him in an impressive 3rd round KO.
Crawford became the 6th undisputed light welterweight champion. The last man to do it was Kostya Tszyu way back in 2001 after his famous knock out that had Zab Judah on Bambi legs all over the place.
In his very 1st fight at 147lbs, Crawford would take on the Manny Pacquiao conqueror in Jeff Horn. Crawford won with a 9th round stoppage and captured the WBO title in his very 1st fight at 147. Since then, Crawford has defended his strap three times, racking up three stoppage victories over the likes of Benevidez and Khan.
The welterweight landscape as it stands is at a standstill. With all the champions not yet scheduled with any fights. Pacquiao has the WBO title, and Errol Spence Jr has the IBF and WBC titles. All fans want to see the tantalizingly brilliant match up between Crawford and Spence Jr. However, with boxing politics and this and that side of the street, I can’t see that fight happening any time soon. Errol is still recovering from his accident.
But for now, what should Terence do? I don’t think many people have considered a move for Terence back down to 140Lbs division where he could square off against Jose Ramirez or Josh Taylor, both of which are with Top Rank, and those fights should be easy to make.
Recently Crawford had some choice words for Ramirez in telling him that he would give him his 1st career loss. If that fight were to happen at 147, we would have to wait for Ramirez to do the undisputed vs. Taylor then wait for Ramirez to acclimatize to the 147 division before he faces Crawford. That may take a couple of years, and at 32, Crawford doesn’t have father time on his side.
Crawford could fight Ramirez at 140lbs, and if he was to beat him, he could go into another undisputed fight with Scotland’s Josh Taylor. He could make history and become the undisputed champion again. No fighter at 140lbs has been undisputed champion twice. This would no doubt solidify Crawford as an all-time great.
Some would say Crawford’s already been undisputed and is done and dusted with 140lbs. But beating Ramirez and Taylor at 140 would be more impressive then Crawford beating them at 147lbs. And at 140lbs those fights can happen a lot quicker.
If Crawford can make 140lbs, this should definitely be considered. It shouldn’t be looked at as a backward step just because Crawford is moving back down in weight.
Another p4p top fighter In Vasily Lomachenko could be moving back down to super featherweight or even featherweight after his much-anticipated fight against up and coming, hard-hitting Teofimo Lopez. Which in itself is a cracking fight? So going down in weight shouldn’t be looked down upon.
Crawford can show off his skills in moving up and down in divisions just like we see from boxings number 1 star in Saul Canelo Alvarez. It shows Crawford’s versatility and shows us how game he is in fighting the best in and around his division.
Crawford could also move up to 154lbs to fight Brazilian Patrick Teixeria, who is also with Top Rank and capture a world title in yet another division.
If we can’t see Crawford against the likes of Spence Jr, Porter, Pacquiao, Danny Garcia, or Keith one Time Thurman, I’m sure fans would rather see him go against either Taylor, Ramirez or Teixeira which you’d have to make Crawford a favorite for all those fights. But those fights are a lot more competitive than Crawford taking an easy touch at welterweight in someone like Kell Brook whos way past his best.
There are still some unanswered questions. Taylor and Ramirez have fights scheduled. Which they should make it past but, would Crawford ever consider a move back down to 140lbs?! Is Crawford done with 140lbs?! Can Crawford even make 140lbs?! All great questions and only time will tell. Personally, I eagerly look forward to seeing what’s next for Terence Bud Crawford.