Terence Crawford sent a message to IBF and WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhnuly, saying he’ll have his “eyes” on him in his unification fight against WBA champion Erislandy Lara on December 6th.
Crawford could move down to 160 to challenge the winner of the Lara vs. Alimkhnuly fight. Janibek (17-0, 12 KOs) and Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) are the co-feature bout on the Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz vs. Lamont Roach event on Amazon Prime Video PPV at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Eyes on December 6th
“I’ve got my eyes on you, Janibek. Good luck,” said Terence Crawford.
It’s not a certainty that Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) will face the winner of the Janibek-Lara fight. If Turki Alalshikh has a better financial deal for Crawford, he’ll likely go in a different direction.
Canelo Rematch Still Possible
The Omaha, Nebraska, native is still waiting to see what falls into his lap following his 12-round unanimous decision win over Canelo Alvarez on September 13, 2025. If the Mexican star Alvarez chooses to demand a rematch, Crawford will take that option.
It’s a bigger payday for him, and he’s already proven that he can beat him. It was a close affair, but Crawford did enough to show that he was the better man on the night.
“Hey, Janibek. We’re here next. Looking for December 6th, how you’re going to do it,” said manager Egis Klimas, who was seated next to Crawford.
🧐😁 thank you bro ✊ pic.twitter.com/gkEwZZHuBW
— Janibek Alimkhanuly (@qazaqstyle) October 30, 2025
Lara’s Cuban Challenge
It’s far from a sure-thing win for Janibek going up against the 42-year-old Erislandy. This is a significant upgrade for 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Alimkhanuly, considering the fighters he has been facing lately. He hasn’t fought a slick boxer like the Cuban Lara before in the pro ranks, and it’s going to be the first time that he’s fought someone from Cuba.
It doesn’t matter to Crawford who emerges victorious in the Lara vs. Janibek fight. If he moves down to go after his sixth division world title, either one of those fighters will work for him.