Terence Crawford may have sounded off the bugle call. The Canelo fight never skimmed off his crosshairs. Even when it appeared that the fight barely stood a chance at resurrection, he never despaired. Following reports that suggested that the fight against Canelo Alvarez may not happen, reports emerged that the pound-for-pound great and future Hall of Famer will step into the ring to fend off another rising star’s challenge.

Despite knowing the weight differences, Terence Crawford wanted to fight Canelo Alvarez. Though he appeared skeptical, even seeking a mammoth payout for a fight, Alvarez finally relented to an in-the-works agreement after meeting HE Turki Alalshikh early last month. For a moment, it appeared the two modern-day greats weren’t meant to collide. Though precise reasons remain unavailable, the Canelo-Crawford fight, scheduled for a September face-off, was dropped. Invariably, questions on Crawford’s next move emerged. Whether he will proceed to unify the light middleweight and chase a record undisputed title in a third division? But aside from Alvarez, there’s always been a matchup he has been associated with.

Contingency options for Terence Crawford

Citing ESPN as the source, Ring Magazine updated its Instagram post: “@turkialalshik is suspending efforts to finalize contracts for Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford in September in the wake of Alvarez’s novelty bout with Jake Paul, sources tell ESPN.”

According to the reports, the Riyadh Season head would work to make the much-sought-after matchup between Terence Crawford and Jaron ‘Boot’ Ennis for a potential year-end face-off. “Alalshikh offered Canelo a lucrative three-fight deal that would start with the Crawford bout. Alvarez and Crawford signed term sheets after agreeing to a deal,” the message read further.

However, the news might as well be reviewed in hindsight now. Subsequent to the reports, the century-old magazine updated that the purported Canelo-Jake Paul is ‘OFF.’ Additionally, it revealed a few details about a four-fight deal between Alvarez and HE Turki Alalshikh.

The showdown against ‘Boots’

Let’s assume, as suggested by Ring Magazine, that the Canelo fight follows the plan. So what happens after that? Will Terence Crawford move back to finish the ‘unfinished business’ with Jaron Ennis? Just as Crawford had been calling out Alvarez, the Philadelphian champion followed his heart and called out Crawford. A win over the pound-for-pound is bound to take his career to the next level.

For the time being, ‘Boots’ has a title unification against divisional colleague Eimantas Stanionis lined up. But he has, in the past, cited a keen interest in joining the 154-pound roster. Among the fights that have caught his interest is a bout against Vergil Ortiz Jr. However, it’s Terence Crawford – whom he once faced as a mandatory challenger – that he appears most eager to fight.

A fight with ‘Boots’ could make sense for Crawford as well. After Canelo Alvarez, if he moves to a ‘Boots’ fight, then it will only add to his shining legacy – a boxer who never shied away from the challenges, however big they stood out.

Do you think after ‘Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford could consider fighting Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis?