Bernard Hopkins says he would like to see Terence Crawford fight Jaron 'Boots' Ennis next in Philadelphia.
Hopkins feels the fight should happen because Crawford's (41-0, 31 KOs) options leading up to a clash with Canelo Alvarez at 168 aren't financially viable. They will not bring money that can help them. Canelo is reportedly looking for $150 million, which is not going to happen now.
Age and unemployment have an effect
Boots Ennis (32-0 29 KOs) could be a dangerous fight for Crawford, 36, who seems to have lost a step due to age and inactivity. He knows his limits and is not willing to step into the ring with the 27-year-old Ennis, who often checks his chin with his powerful shots and knocks him out.
Nebraska native Crawford is still a good fighter, but he's getting older, and his skills are diminishing due to him only fighting once a year starting in 2020. Fighting a talent like Boot could be a disaster for Crawford, and he would have to be willing to risk his life. inheritance.
Crawford held the WBA junior middleweight title against Israel Madrimov last Saturday, and the only fight he's shown interest in is Canelo. However, that fight will not happen because Canelo wants more money than the Honorable Turki Alalshikh was willing to pay.
Crawford's limited options
If Crawford stays at 154, his options are these fighters:
– Sebastian Fundora
– Vergil Ortiz Jr.
– Tim Tszyu
– Serhii Bohachuk
– Bakhram Murtazaliev
Neither of those fighters is likely to bring in the PPV numbers for the fight between Crawford and Boots Ennis. However, if Crawford is only interested in taking certain fights, he will probably avoid Boots and focus on one of those fighters.
“I would love to do Crawford vs. Boots Ennis in Philadelphia,” Bernard Hopkins told Fighthype when asked which fight he would like to engage the Honorable Turki Alalshikh in.
If Turki gives Crawford a big payday against Boots, he might be willing to overcome his doubts.
“Do that today because I believe that any other fight that goes past those stages going up to Canelo is not reasonable based on financial reality or not. This time not, but Crawford vs. Boots Ennis is a battle you can see. “That's a big fight. Trust me,” Hopkins said.
Crawford's Self-Confidence Dented
Crawford's confidence may have taken a nosedive after his fight with Madrimov last weekend, and he may feel out of sorts against Boot Ennis.
Terence looked like a hero towards the end of his career and was nowhere near what he had been in his prime. Madrimov was hitting Crawford well with right hands all night in that fight and could have stopped him if he had stepped on the gas in the later rounds.
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