Now Terence Crawford is getting into the MMA act.
Bob Arum, Crawford’s promoter, said on the TalkBox podcast that he can see his pound-for-pound star taking on MMA icon Conor McGregor. And not just in a boxing match. Arum envisions two fights — one under boxing rules, a second in the MMA format.
“You see Conor McGregor talking out (Floyd) Mayweather,” Arum said. “You see him talking out (Manny) Pacquiao. I would love to have Crawford fight McGregor, once MMA rules and once boxing rules.
“Crawford has a background in wrestling and would not be averse to fighting McGregor with UFC rules. So that’s something that occurred to us in the last coupe of days. And we’ll be pursuing it with Dana White.”
How does Crawford feel about it? He’s obviously all in, given the amount of money he could make.
The welterweight titleholder Tweeted, “@danawhite do I need to get my mma gloves ready?
Crawford has been unable to lure the other top 147-pounders into the ring, in part because of promotional and managerial rivalries. Crawford is aligned with Arum and Top Rank while Errol Spence Jr., Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter and Pacquiao are with Premier Boxing Champions.
Crawford could end up fighting one of Top Rank’s top junior welterweights, Josh Taylor or Jose Ramirez, but that might not happen soon. And Crawford is no longer a young champion; he’s 32. He presumably has a sense of urgency.
Thus, a big-money series with McGregor is attractive.
