Crawford’s Next Fight: Al-Sheikh Orders “Be Prepared,” But Against Whom?

Turki Al-Sheikh told Terence Crawford that “be ready” for his next fight. He doesn’t say who or when the Nebraska native will fight in his “next fight.” Crawford said, “Call me.”

Ideally, that would mean Turki would make Crawford earn his retirement payday against Canelo Alvarez by insisting he fight the winner of the David Benavidez-David Morrell bout.

The next step

That’s how it should be because to make the match against Canelo look more credible, Crawford needs to fight at 168 first against one of the best. If this were a war, Crawford would have to do something brave to win these battle ribbons be a decorated soldier:

– Medal of Honor
– The Distinguished Service Cross

you don’t understand those military medals for doing the bare minimum, as Crawford is doing, going from a narrow, mediocre win over Israil Madrimov at 154 straight to a golden parachute retirement payday against Canelo. No, that’s not how it should be. If Terence wants his military medals, he has to fight these battles to prove that he deserves to be worn on his chest during parades in Omaha, Nebraska:

– David Benavidez
-David Morrell
– Christian Mbilli
– Dmitri Bivol
-Arthur Beterbiev
–Diego Pacheco

What Terence wants are the medals without winning them in war. You can’t respect that. It’s weak and it’s not right. If you want to be the next Audie MurphyHe must earn his war ribbons.

Crawford must win the fight against Canelo Alvarez by walking through real battlefield conditions, taking bullets and shrapnel and facing the horrors of combat to earn the honor of being in the ring with the King of the sport.

Turki Al-Sheikh needs to call Crawford and tell him that he has to do something brave to have a chance to realistically shape his legacy, not just to get a big payday so he can return to Omaha with his money after losing .

Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), who will soon turn 38, only fights once a year. So, if he continues with his minimalist schedule, his next fight will be in September against Canelo Álvarez. That’s assuming Turki doesn’t insist that the Canelo-Crawford fight take place on the Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend in May of this year.

Call me, be ready. https://t.co/lSwJ19LgMs

—Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) January 15, 2025