Terence Crawford has opened up on the Tim Tszyu showdown which never eventuated, as well as his forthcoming blockbuster megafight with Canelo Alvarez.
While on a whirlwind trip to Australia before entering camp ahead of the September bout, the four-division world champion said Tszyu and his team swerved the mooted 2023 clash.
“He chose to fight Fundora instead of me. That’s why it didn’t happen,” Crawford told Sporting News.
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While it remains to be seen how that fight may have gone, Tszyu’s meeting with Sebastian Fundora turned out to be a rough one as he lost his WBO super welterweight title following a blood-soaked, 12-round split decision.
The Australian looks set to have the opportunity to exact revenge after Fundora agreed to a rematch, expected to be confirmed for July 19 in Las Vegas as early as this weekend.
Crawford expressed doubt over the 30-year-old’s ability to conquer the mountain again.
“I don’t know how much left Tim has but I wish him the best,” the two-weight undisputed champion said.
As for himself, “Bud” is preparing for a legacy-defining victory over the Mexican legend.
A win would earn him a world title in a fifth weight class, and undisputed status in a third.
Incredibly, he’s skipping a full weight class and 14 pounds (6.35kg) in attempting to defeat Canelo, having had just one fight at super welterweight.
That came last August against Israil Madrimov, with Crawford winning via competitive unanimous decision.
“I thought it was a great performance,” he said of that fight.
“I thought I did what I wanted in the ring, I thought I picked it up when I wanted to, banged when I wanted to, boxed real well.
“I don’t take nothing from it, because styles make fights and Canelo has a different style to Israil Madrimov. We just go from there.
“[Beating Canelo] would do everything for my legacy and my career and I’m looking forward to it.
“I don’t think about losing, I’m too busy thinking about winning.”
Crawford also gave his opinion on the upcoming IBF super lightweight title bout between champion Richardson Hitchins and Australia’s George Kambosos.
“Hitchins, hands down. He’s gonna do what he wants in there,” Crawford said.
“I just think it’s two separate levels and 'Africa' is just going to display his talent and skills in that fight.”
After visiting gyms and making appearances on the Gold Coast, and in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, Crawford is set to jet off back the US later in the week to begin his final preparations for his September clash with Canelo.