Terence Crawford refusing to rule out retirement following blockbuster Canelo Alvarez clash

Terence Crawford is unsure as to whether his upcoming Canelo Alvarez showdown will represent his boxing curtain call with the veteran American seemingly contemplating retirement.

The unbeaten American star has long been searching for a blockbuster opponent and he has certainly got one in four-weight world champion Canelo.

Despite featuring in 41 bouts throughout an illustrious 17-year-long boxing career, Crawford hasn't fought more than once in a calendar year since 2019.

The 37-year-old has instead chosen to be far more selective with his opponents with his most recent outing coming against Israil Madrimov last August.

Opportunities have since been presented to 'Bud', including WBC super-welterweight title-holder Sebastian Fundora and IBF titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev, however, neither have managed to capture the Nebraskan's imagination.

That all changed earlier this year though when Turki Alalshikh bank-rolled a career-high payday for both Canelo and Crawford, with the pair signing contracts to face-off against each other on September 13.

Given Crawford's reluctance to undertake fights that don't set his pulse racing, it's left many pondering whether we could be about to see the boxing great take to the ring one final time.

"Who knows," he answered when quizzed by Sporting News Australia about any potential retirement plans.

I have one focus right now and that is Canelo Alvarez, everything else will be determined after the fight, so we shall see.

- Terence Crawford (Sporting News Australia)

Crawford has already cemented his boxing legacy, becoming the first male boxer to ever hold all four officially recognised world titles across two different weight classes.

However, despite that, he knows he can etch his name even further into the boxing history books if he can jump up two weight classes and upstage his fellow pound-for-pound great, Canelo.

"There's an enormous amount at stake and winning would do everything for my legacy and career - I am looking forward to it," he added.

Mark Mothershaw

• Canelo Alvarez v Terence Crawford
• Terence Crawford
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