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Philippines, 07 Dec 2025 |
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Crawford Camp Demands $100 Million for Next Fight By Dong Secuya PhilBoxing.com Mon, 06 Oct 2025  Weeks after his groundbreaking victory over Canelo Álvarez, Terence “Bud” Crawford’s camp has ignited fresh headlines—not with fight news, but with an eye-popping financial demand. According to his coach Bernie Davis, the undisputed three-division champion won’t step back into the ring unless he’s paid at least $100 million. “It’s got to be $100 million,” Davis said flatly, in a recent interview. “That’s what it takes for the best fighter in the world. Anything less isn’t worth it.” The figure, if met, would place Crawford in rarified financial air, alongside the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao, and Canelo Álvarez himself—fighters who’ve commanded nine-figure paydays in globally marketed mega-events. The $100 million demand is more than a purse figure—it’s a bold declaration. Coming off a dominant performance against Álvarez, in which Crawford etched his name into history as the first male boxer to become undisputed in three weight classes, Team Crawford believes his market value has skyrocketed. Davis framed the ask not just as a number, but as a reflection of Crawford’s unmatched skill, resume, and the significance of any future opponent who dares to share the ring with him. Yet, the statement also serves a strategic purpose: by setting the bar this high, Crawford’s team is filtering potential opponents and promoters, ensuring only the biggest events and financial backers are considered for what could be the twilight prime years of his career. This lofty demand throws an immediate wrench into potential matchups. Whether it’s a mandatory title defense, a divisional move, or the often-discussed rematches with Errol Spence Jr. or Canelo, all future negotiations now begin at a number that will challenge even the deepest pockets in boxing. Canelo Álvarez has announced he will undergo surgery, sidelining him until mid-2026, effectively removing any short-term possibility of a lucrative rematch. Should he return, Crawford’s $100 million tag would represent a significant escalation in stakes—and in cost. The demand now places heavy expectations on platforms like Netflix, DAZN, and other potential broadcasters to develop a financial model robust enough to support such a guarantee. That likely means maximizing global streaming rights, charging premium PPV rates, increasing international licensing fees, and exploring site-fee offers from foreign nations—most notably Saudi Arabia, where recent boxing mega-events have been bankrolled by Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh. To some, the $100 million figure signals Crawford’s assertion of his place among the sport’s elite—and an attempt to leverage that stature before retirement looms. But to others, it raises the question of market reality versus perceived value. While Crawford’s dominance in the ring is unquestioned, his commercial drawing power has not always matched his in-ring brilliance. The numbers suggest a mixed picture. Crawford’s recent victory over Canelo drew a crowd of 70,482 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas—a landmark figure—but critics argue that much of the gate was driven by Canelo’s massive Mexican fanbase, not Crawford’s. In contrast, Crawford’s previous bout against Israil Madrimov on May 3, 2024, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, reportedly struggled at the box office. According to event insiders, 3,935 tickets were given away as complimentary admissions to help fill seats for the underwhelming turnout. This raises a critical point: Is Crawford truly a commercial powerhouse, or did he benefit from external factors—namely, Turki Alalshikh’s influence in orchestrating the Canelo fight? Industry observers widely agree that the U.S. public was clamoring for a Canelo vs. David Benavidez showdown, not a Crawford matchup. The crossover event only materialized because Alalshikh, the driving force behind Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, willed it into existence. Whether the $100 million demand is an audacious bluff, a calculated benchmark, or a genuine line in the sand, one thing is clear: Terence Crawford is no longer just fighting for belts—he’s fighting for valuation. Now, the question remains: Which promoter, broadcaster, or nation will meet the challenge and bankroll the next chapter of “Bud” Crawford’s legendary career? Until then, the champion waits. And so does the boxing world. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.  |
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