Turki Alalshikh told Terence Crawford on Saturday that he does not want him to retire. The appeal came ahead of Crawford’s showdown with Canelo Alvarez on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
A call to continue
Many observers think the almost 38-year-old Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) will retire soon. They expect him to quit after challenging the undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs).
Alalshikh holds another vision.
He has poured millions into Crawford since last year. He positioned him to possibly become a three-time undisputed champion against the seasoned Canelo. With such commitment, Alalshikh does not want Crawford stepping away.
On September 6, during a visit to the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, Alalshikh spoke clearly. He urged Crawford to “deliver the job” against Canelo. “The job ain’t done yet. But listen, no retirement,” he insisted.
Alalshikh wants Crawford to defend the undisputed 168-pound crown two or three times if victorious. Another path would be a return to 154 pounds to chase a fourth undisputed title.
Pressure on Canelo
Canelo must avoid a decision loss that would scar his legacy. He needs a knockout to silence doubts.
Being beaten by Dmitry Bivol and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was one thing. Losing to a smaller, older Crawford would be far worse. It would cast a shadow over his entire career.
Crawford’s gauntlet at 168
If Crawford accepts Alalshikh’s plan, he faces a demanding test at 168. His potential opponents include:
- Christian Mbilli
- Osley Iglesias
- Diego Pacheco
Iglesias, a Cuban southpaw with a record of 14-0 and 13 knockouts, is a dangerous threat. He strikes with power in both hands and is only 27.
Osley presents equal danger. He fights left-handed and has the same 74-inch reach as Crawford. This denies Crawford the jab advantage that has carried him against shorter rivals.
If Crawford survives these challenges, his case for all-time greatness will grow stronger.
The road to four divisions
The toughest mission lies at junior middleweight. To secure a fourth undisputed crown, Crawford must defeat:
- Sebastian Fundora (WBC)
- Xander Zayas (WBO)
- Bakhram Murtazaliev (IBF)
This path demands urgency. Crawford cannot take long breaks between fights. If he does, he will be in his 40s before meeting the last champion. At that point, his chance to make history may slip away.
