Terence “Bud” Crawford has officially turned his gaze toward a new challenge and it’s aimed squarely at boxing’s 160-pound elite. Fresh off his career-defining win over Canelo Álvarez to become undisputed super middleweight champion, Crawford is hinting at a move down to middleweight and he made sure the division got the message loud and clear.
Crawford Sends a Warning at WBO Convention
While attending the WBO Convention in Bogotá, Colombia, Crawford was filmed alongside Egis Klimas, manager of WBO and IBF middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, delivering a pointed message to the Kazakh knockout artist.
“I got my eyes on you, Janibek. Good luck,” Crawford said, gesturing to his eyes and then making a fist.
Alimkhanuly, who faces Erislandy Lara on December 6 in a middleweight title unification bout, responded on social media:
“Thank you bro.”
The exchange immediately sparked speculation that Crawford’s pursuit of legacy could next take him into the middleweight ranks, potentially setting up a bid to become a six-division world champion and a four-division undisputed champion if he runs the table.
Alimkhanuly vs. Lara: The Next Step
The upcoming Alimkhanuly-Lara clash carries major implications for Crawford’s next move.
-
Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KOs): The 32-year-old Kazakh is The Ring’s No. 1-ranked middleweight, boasting four straight knockouts and a reputation for precision and power.
-
Erislandy Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs): The 42-year-old Cuban southpaw brings veteran savvy and a six-fight win streak, including four knockouts.
Oddsmakers heavily favor Alimkhanuly (-480) over Lara (+330), and should he unify the division, he’ll hold a commanding position for a potential superfight with Crawford next year.
A Path Toward a Sixth Division
If Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) does move to 160, he could pursue the winner of Alimkhanuly-Lara, while WBC champion Carlos Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) remains the other titleholder in the division. Crawford’s team may prefer to let the champions unify before stepping in creating the possibility of one massive, undisputed showdown in 2026.
Alimkhanuly, confident as ever, made it clear he welcomes the challenge:
“He doesn’t need to fight Adames. I’ll beat both Lara and Adames, take all four belts, and then Crawford can take his time and get ready to fight me. On December 6, put on your sunglasses, because I’ll be shining in the ring.”
Possible Complications
There’s one catch: Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn revealed that the IBF will order the winner of Alimkhanuly-Lara to face unbeaten contender Austin “Ammo” Williams, leaving little flexibility for Crawford to enter the picture immediately.
Still, for a fighter who has already conquered lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight, super welterweight, and now super middleweight, Crawford’s warning shot feels more like a promise than a tease.
The message to the middleweights is simple: “Bud” is coming.
Gervonta “Tank” Davis Sued for Alleged Domestic Assault Just Two Weeks Before Jake Paul Fight
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
