Terence Crawford could face Chris Eubank Jr in a summer showdown
Pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) stuns boxing fans, as he is reportedly on the verge of inking a deal to face middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr (33-3, 24 KOs).
IFL TV reports that a summer showdown between the pair at 160 lbs is close to being agreed, with a venue and location yet to be confirmed.
Following his ninth-round stoppage victory – which came after he dropped his opponent three times in the process – the 36-year-old was stripped of his IBF strap.
So, with his undisputed status at 147 lbs taken away from him, “Bud” looks to move up several divisions, as he now chases career-defining moments that will further cement his legacy in the sport.
For several weeks – perhaps even months – he has been linked with undisputed super middleweight king Canelo Alverez.
But the Mexican star looks set to take on his fellow countryman, Jaime Munguia, in his next fight on May 6, just in time for Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Now, it seems, Crawford could be considering ballooning up 13 lbs – as opposed to 21 lbs – above his natural fighting weight.
His potential opponent comes off a tenth round stoppage win over former world super welterweight champion Liam Smith in September last year.
The 33-year-old was successful in avenging his fourth round stoppage defeat to the Liverpudlian that came in January, earlier that year.
Often, fans will critique Eubank Jr, saying that whenever he steps up in level – against the likes of George Groves and Billy Joe Saunders – he always falls short.
However, while the prospect of facing Crawford will be an enormous step up in levels, the obvious size difference will, at the very least, make it a marketable clash.