If Terence Crawford manages to beat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in September, he could consider retiring, according to his trainer Brian McIntrye.
In a chat with Boxing Scence, ‘BoMac’ expressed that the 37-year-old boxer could hang up his gloves if he beats the Mexican, defends his legacy and expands his footprint in boxing: “Of course. It probably could [be the last one]. Probably could. Yes. Probably could.”
In addition, the trainer believes that ‘Bud’ will surprise everyone when he steps into the ring at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. “Hey, we’re going to win. We’re going to win. We’re going to win,” McIntrye said.
To face Canelo, an opponent many would love to have, Crawford will move up from 154 to 168 pounds. Although the Nebraska native is not too worried about the weight difference and feels he has the skills to challenge the Mexican, something his trainer also believes.
“No, I’m not worried about the size. I’m not worried about that. Terence has a very good eye for boxing and a great IQ. The only person who can beat Terence is himself. Sure, it’s natural to worry… And with a big guy like Canelo. But knowing what Bud is like, knowing what he’s capable of – and I know that he does it for his legacy, and he wanted to prove everyone wrong – he’ll be fine,” ‘BoMac’ told Boxing Scence.
Let’s remember that ‘Bud’ moved up to super welterweight – or junior middleweight for the IBF – just a year ago, where he fought Israil Madrimov and beat him to become a two-division champion in an exciting fight at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
And his desire to fight Canelo is such that Crawford made a great sacrifice, because he will not return to the super welterweight division and has already relinquished his interim belt won against Madrimov, which placed him as the mandatory challenger for the WBO title of Sebastian Fundora, who will now see Xander Zayas as his next rival, after facing Chordale Booker.
Meanwhile, Crawford will continue to prepare to make weight and defend his legacy against the Mexican, while Canelo will face Cuban William Scull on May 3 in Saudi Arabia.
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