BOXING

If No Spence Rematch, Antonio Tarver Believes Crawford Has To Fight Ennis Next

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Terence Crawford has pretty much done it all. From winning world titles in three separate divisions to becoming an undisputed champion at both 140 and 147 pounds, there isn’t much that the 36-year-old needs or wants to do.

Retirement is right around the corner, Crawford admitted it. But just before he rips off his gloves for good, he’s hoping for at least one, if not a few, more huge paydays.

In the boxing world, practically no one can generate money quite like Canelo Alvarez. Crawford knows it. So, over the last few months, he’s spent his time calling him out. He may compete three weight classes and 21 pounds above Crawford’s normal weight but none of those dangerous factors seem to worry him. Crawford simply wants to prove his worth while simultaneously cashing a large check.

Of course, before a matchup with Alvarez can become feasible, Crawford has to deal with Errol Spence Jr. The two originally got it on in 2023 with Crawford dropping and stopping his man. His eyes swelled considerably and blood dripped from his nose but Spence activated his immediate rematch clause.

Jumping back into the ring is the last thing Jaron Ennis wanted to hear. The 26-year-old has been calling for his shot at one of the division’s top dogs, especially Crawford.

At this point, you could hear Crawford’s yawns from here. Simply put, he flat-out isn’t interested in fighting Ennis. You know the old saying, high risk, little reward. That’s all it comes down to. Antonio Tarver, at least to a certain extent, understands where Crawford is coming from. However, the former champ believes that the pound-for-pound star can’t walk around with his chest out if he isn’t willing to face Ennis next. In his opinion, that fight simply has to happen.

“The only reason Ennis has to take a backseat is to the rematch of Spence and Crawford,” Tarver told Shawn Porter on The Porter Way podcast. “If that rematch doesn’t happen, and Crawford still campaigns as the champ, he has to face Ennis.”

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