Crawford eyes middleweight title with March 2026 return

Terence Crawford is lining up a return to the ring as early as March and has publicly signaled interest in moving down to middleweight to pursue another divisional title, according to reports and comments from people close to the fighters. The plans, if realized, would follow Crawford's unanimous decision victory over Canelo Alvarez on September 13 in Las Vegas, a win that made the 38 year old the first male fighter to claim undisputed world titles in three weight divisions.

Crawford has not confirmed a firm fight date, but journalist Chris Mannix reported that the Omaha native is targeting his own event in March 2026 and is not in consideration for a proposed bout with influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Those reports say Crawford has set his sights on the middleweight division rather than an immediate rematch with Alvarez. Members of Crawford's team did not provide a public timetable.

Central to Crawford's potential middleweight plan is Janibek Alimkhanuly, the WBO and IBF champion at 160 pounds, who faces WBA titleholder Erislandy Lara in a three-belt unification bout on December 6 in San Antonio. Crawford has been linked to Alimkhanuly in recent public appearances and was...