Terence Crawford insists sensational Canelo Alvarez bout is ‘DEFINITELY realistic’ after his 154-pound debut against Israil Madrimov

Boxing fans have every reason to complain in 2024.

Between the pay-per-view prizes, Ryan Garcia’s positive steroid test and the sport’s never-ending struggle to create compelling fights, there wasn’t much to be happy about.

Yes, Oleksandr Usyk briefly became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000, but just weeks after his dramatic victory over Tyson Fury, the Ukrainian icon was forced to relinquish his IBF belt due to the same procedural nonsense that has plagued the sport for years.

According to arguably the best boxer in the world, who fights weight for weight, boxing needs ‘the best fighting the best’.

“I think boxing needs to dig up certain fights that need to be made instead of saying, ‘Oh, this guy, he doesn’t sell.’ [pay per views]”or ”this guy’s not ready,” or ”this guy didn’t perform well in his last fight,”’ undefeated Terence Crawford told DailyMail.com while promoting his Aug. 3 junior middleweight debut against Israil Madrimov. ‘Fighters should be fighting each other, and the best in the division should be fighting the best in the division.”

And Crawford isn’t just talking about divisional matchups. Asked if he thinks a potential matchup between himself and undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez is feasible, the 36-year-old didn’t hesitate for a moment: “I definitely think that’s a realistic fight. I think that fight can definitely happen, and we’ll see.

Canelo Alvarez poses on stage during his official weigh-in at Toshiba Plaza on May 3

“I think I can sell anywhere,” he continued. “I don’t think it matters what state we fight in. I think the fight sells itself.”

There is no shortage of options for either party.

Besides Las Vegas, the commercial epicenter of boxing, they could opt for AT&T Stadium outside Dallas, where Alvarez has previously been a major draw, or accept a lucrative potential offer from Saudi Arabia. Even Los Angeles, where Crawford faces Madrimov next month, is a viable option for a huge pay-per-view event.

The point is that Crawford-Canelo is a once-in-a-lifetime match that could generate huge revenue, define careers and end boxing’s current malaise.

But Crawford (40-0) can’t afford to look too far into the future yet.

Bud, as he is known, says his “main target” is August 3 and Madrimov, a 29-year-old from Uzbekistan who is 10-0-1 and the current WBA super welterweight champion.

“I think his movement, his power, his size, his durability, his own unorthodox movement makes him different,” Crawford said when asked to compare Madrimov to some of his other challengers. “All those things go hand in hand to make him different than some of the fighters that are out there. [I’ve seen].

Crawford is in danger of not having stepped into the ring since July 29, 2023, when he scored a ninth-round TKO victory over Errol Spence Jr. in a welterweight title fight.

Crawford gets his arm raised by referee Harvey Dock after defeating Errol Spence Jr. in 2023

Of course, Crawford doesn’t necessarily see ring rust as a problem.

“I think ring rust can play a role in two factors,” Crawford said. “It can be good for a fighter because his body is rested.

“Or it could go against him. His timing won’t be right because he hasn’t been in the ring in a while.”

When asked how he would fare against Madrimov, Crawford had no hesitation: “I’m fine.”

Besides, the rust on the ring isn’t entirely his fault.

Crawford wanted a busier season in 2024, but despite a lengthy discussion with Spence’s team, revenge never came.

“I would have liked to be busier, but there were conditions in the contract between me and Spence that I couldn’t be as busy as I would like,” Crawford said. “But you know, the future looks bright and I’m looking forward to being busier.”

As always, Crawford is being patient with a business that can sometimes feel like an unregulated black market. But despite describing himself as a “victim” of the industry — someone who has sued former promoter Top Rank and who feels he’s been passed over for big fights in the past — Crawford isn’t ready to call it quits just yet.

He is excited about his move up to super welterweight, saying there are “a lot of fighters moving from 147 to 154,” making the division more competitive.

Canelo Alvarez throws a punch at Jaime Munguia during his May 4 victory in Las Vegas

At the same time, “there aren’t many champions,” he says, which makes the division one of the most open in boxing.

When asked if he should be retired from the ring before considering retirement, Crawford denied it.

“Of course I can’t box forever,” he said. “The time will come. [tell]you know?’

Crawford said he hasn’t discussed the decision with his family yet. And as for his six children, they’re not ready for him to be a stay-at-home dad.

“My kids,” he said, “think I’ll keep boxing until I’m 100.”

That may be a challenge. But with the opportunity to become a champion in a fourth division (he’s already won titles at 135, 140 and 147), not to mention a shot at a lucrative matchup with Canelo, the Omaha native is looking to add a few more things to his resume.