Teofimo Lopez eagerly anticipates a showdown with Terence Crawford before the latter ends his career, following his next match against Canelo Alvarez. Nevertheless, Crawford’s attention is on stepping up to 154 pounds for a title bout against Israil Madrimov on August 3rd. If successful, Crawford intends to target other champions at 154 or potentially move up to challenge Canelo.
Lopez is open to dropping down to 147 for a catchweight clash with Crawford in his quest to become a three-time lineal champion. However, Lopez anticipates that Crawford will eventually move up to take on Canelo for a significant payday before calling it quits in the sport.
Crawford’s primary focus is on arranging a fight with Canelo for the substantial financial benefits it could yield, making it improbable for him to jeopardize that opportunity by facing younger contenders like Teofimo or Jaron Ennis. Lopez questions Crawford’s choice to evade challenging opponents and concentrate solely on the big payday against Canelo.
Despite Lopez’s eagerness to square off against Crawford, the latter’s strategic moves seem to be leading him towards a showdown with Canelo for the enormous financial gains it could offer. Crawford’s decision-making is guided by the potential monetary rewards and fame that a bout with Canelo might bring, rather than concerns about the toll of past fights.
In essence, Crawford’s plan appears to be focused on securing a profitable bout with Canelo, even if it means overlooking possible challenges from other fighters like Lopez. Lopez acknowledges the financial motivations behind Crawford’s choices and articulates his ambition to face him to advance his own career.
