Terence Crawford names middleweight champion he wants to face next in historic clash

Crawford has hinted at moving down in weight to target a world title in a sixth separate division

Terence Crawford is targeting further glory in a sixth separate weight class, with the undisputed super middleweight king keeping tabs on 160lb unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly.

Janibek is in possession of the IBF and WBO titles at middleweight, and has hopes of picking up a third belt when he faces WBA champion Erislandy Lara on December 6. Crawford is one of boxing’s pound-for-pound stars, winning all four belts at super lightweight, welterweight and 168lbs, with further titles at lightweight and super welterweight.

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In a clip shared by The Ring Magazine, Crawford discussed Janibek’s upcoming fight, telling the Kazakh he will be watching closely.

Crawford stated:“I got my eyes on you, Janibek. Good luck!”

The Kazakh fighter has long stated his intentions of becoming the first undisputed champion at middleweight in the four belt-era, but after struggling to agree bouts with his fellow title holders Janibek has recently started to call out five-division champion Crawford.

Janibek himself clearly welcomes the challenge - in fact stating that he is happy to first completely unite the 160lb division to have all the belts on the line against Crawford.

He tweeted: “He (Crawford) doesn’t need to fight [Carlos] Adames (WBC middleweight champion). I’ll beat both Lara and Adames, take all four belts, and then he can take his time and get ready to fight me.”

Crawford, who turned 38 shortly after his victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to win all four belts at 168lbs, has been somewhat coy on his future. Immediately after the Canelo win, ‘Bud’ hinted at dropping down to middleweight, and it appears that is his intended path forward.

The Nebraska native skipped the 160lbs division on his way up the divisions, jumping from 154lbs to super middleweight in order to face Canelo.

Across five divisions, Crawford has won 42 fights, with 31 wins coming by way of stoppage.

Janibek, who won the World Championships in 2013 at middleweight as an amateur, currently possesses a professional record of 17 wins and no losses, 12 of his victories earned by knockout.

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