And we all thought that the Terence Crawford–Canelo Alvarez matchup was off the table. Given His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Alvarez’s diverging stands on the issue, many felt the much-anticipated clash was as good as over. Then Crawford possibly sticking with the light middleweight for a third undisputed glory made sense to many. But if what Eddie Hearn said in a latest interview stands true, fans may as well forget any such move from the Nebraskan.

Because the Matchroom boss believes last month’s Israil Madrimov fight might may have been the last time fans would be seeing Terence Crawford. Why? The only fight ‘Bud’ Crawford would consider again would be the one with Canelo Alvarez. A grand retirement fight. What about Vergil Ortiz Jr. or, for that matter, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis?

The Eddie Hearn Insight

Eddie Hearn told talkSPORT’s Michael Benson, “I don’t think Crawford will fight again because I think he’s made really solid money in his last couple of fights.” According to the Matchroom honcho, prospects of fighting either Ortiz Jr. or Ennis may no longer appeal to Crawford. “I think the only way Crawford will fight again is Canelo Alvarez because he’s got used to that pay,” he emphasized.

Hearn expressed doubts about whether Crawford would make a comeback. The light middleweight champion might be entertaining thoughts of a matchup, though. He concluded, “So inactive as well. I think he’s happy to sit out until the end of next year. He’ll be just waiting [for] if the Canelo fight comes up.”

Almost a similar iteration happened while speaking with Marcos Villegas. Eddie Hearn’s response came when the Fight Hub TV founder checked about Israil Madrimov’s tentative return. He wanted to know about the possibilities of a rematch with Crawford. “We won’t get the rematch,” responded Hearn. He added further, “I don’t think Terence Crawford will ever fight again. You know, I think unless he gets Canelo, I don’t think Crawford will fight again. He definitely won’t fight Vergil Ortiz…won’t rematch Madrimov; you know he’s made a lot of money, and I think he’s just, you know, he’s comfortable, isn’t he?”

Marcos Villegas seemed curious to know the fate of the ‘Boot’s Ennis fight as well. But the prospects for that fight also seem least likely, asserted Eddie Hearn.

Risk vs. Reward

Hearn believes that probably the risks involved in fighting Ennis weigh deeply on Crawford. Considering that the contest may fail to fetch any rich dividends, ‘Bud’ might not consider it worth any risk. However, leaving that last bit of margin, Hearn hoped for things to change in a year.

It surprised Villegas that Hearn would consider a fight with ‘Boots’ Ennis a riskier proposition than the Alvarez clash. Eddie Hearn explained that it would stand in better stead for Crawford’s legacy to lose to an all-time super middleweight great than it would if he lost to a newly elevated champion like Jaron Ennis.

Subsequently, the discourse shifted to the Crawford-Alvarez fight ever turning up, especially in the background of the exchanges between the 168-pound supremo and HE Alalshikh. Eddie Hearn drew his conclusions from the outcome of the upcoming Edgar Berlanga fight. He believes ‘The Chosen One’ can turn the tables on Alvarez. Nevertheless, he hoped, as far as HE Alalshikh or Canelo Alvarez were concerned, the path leading to the fight may not be entirely closed.

Fans may hope for a final showdown between Crawford and Alvarez. Nevertheless, the waiting game may continue for some time. Only time will tell if Crawford’s swan song will be a fight worthy of his storied career.

Do you agree with Eddie Hearn’s views on ‘Bud’ Crawford’s comeback?