Turki Alalshikh told Terence Crawford on Saturday that he does not want him to retire. The message came before Crawford’s huge clash with Canelo Alvarez on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Alalshikh’s challenge to Crawford
Many fans expect the nearly 38-year-old Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) to end his career soon. They believe he will retire win or lose after his title challenge against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs).
But Alalshikh sees a different future.
He has invested millions in Crawford since last year. He placed him in a position to possibly become a three-time undisputed champion against the aging Canelo. With such an investment, Alalshikh does not want Crawford to walk away from the sport.
On September 6, at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, he visited Crawford. He urged him to “deliver the job” against Canelo. “The job ain’t done yet. But listen, no retirement,” he told Crawford.
Alalshikh wants Crawford to defend the undisputed 168-pound crown two or three times if he wins. Another option would be a return to 154 pounds to chase a historic fourth undisputed title.
Canelo’s must-win moment
For Canelo, the stakes are clear. He must look for a knockout to protect his legacy. A points defeat against the older, smaller Crawford would damage his reputation far more than past losses to Dmitry Bivol or Floyd Mayweather Jr.
A loss here would tarnish the image of one of boxing’s biggest stars.
The gauntlet at 168
If Crawford continues his career, he will face a brutal test at 168 pounds. His possible challengers include:
- Christian Mbilli
- Osley Iglesias
- Diego Pacheco
Iglesias, an unbeaten Cuban southpaw (14-0, 13 KOs), might prove too much. He punches hard with both hands and is only 27.
Osley, another southpaw, presents equal problems. His reach matches Crawford’s 74 inches, denying Crawford his usual jab advantage. Against him, Crawford cannot rely on tactics that worked against shorter opponents.
If Crawford survives that gauntlet, his name will rise toward the list of boxing’s all-time greats.
The path to all-time great
The hardest step could be at junior middleweight. To become a four-division undisputed champion, Crawford must defeat:
- Sebastian Fundora (WBC)
- Xander Zayas (WBO)
- Bakhram Murtazaliev (IBF)
That journey will demand relentless activity. Crawford cannot afford year-long breaks between fights. If he delays, he will be in his 40s by the time he meets the last champion. At that age, the dream of a fourth undisputed crown may vanish.
