BoxRec

At the press-conference after the Canelo fight, Crawford stated that there he won't be coming back all the way down to 154. And he also won't be going up to 175.

However, he said that there is a possibility of him going down to 160 and fight for belts there.

Now, it is well-known that the current middleweight division is in a dreadful state. There are 3 decent beltholders, but other than that - not much depth, when it comes to challengers.

So, I think that there is a perfect time to do a round-robin tourney similar to the one Don King did at the same division back in 2001.

Same format - 3 beltholders + a star, that comes from another division. Back then, it was Hopkins (IBF), Holmes (WBC), Joppy (WBA) and Trinidad.

Right now, it would be Alimkhanuly (IBF/WBO), Adames (WBC), Lara (WBA) and Crawford.

Let's say Turki Alalshikh would find money to attract every party and would overcome any possible PBC/Top Rank hurdle.

Who would you pick to win such a tourney? Would Crawford come out on top here?

I'd take Bud vs Alimhanuly and Lara vs Adames. Winner fighting each other for undisputed. Bud definitely has a good chance of coming out on top.

Sendo Takeshi wrote: ↑19 Sep 2025, 04:49 I'd take Bud vs Alimhanuly and Lara vs Adames. Winner fighting each other for undisputed. Bud definitely has a good chance of coming out on top.

That's the pairing that I see, too. Adames and Lara are both PBC-affiliated. So, match them first. Alimkhanuly is with Top Rank. Crawford is with Turki. Top Rank cooperates with Riyadh Season. Thus, Crawford-Alimkhanuly is the second pair.

That said, many would probably want to see Crawford-Janibek in finals. But the pairing that we offer will make the loser go home after the 1st tier.

The fact that Lara is still a World Champion in any weight class in Boxing is pathetic honestly. Almost any Middleweight division in history he'd be out of the Top 5 long ago.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑19 Sep 2025, 10:58 The fact that Lara is still a World Champion in any weight class in Boxing is pathetic honestly. Almost any Middleweight division in history he'd be out of the Top 5 long ago.

To make matters worse, he got that WBA 160lbs belt by beating Thomas "Cornflake" LaManna!

"Bahkram Murtalaziev" Really Should move up to 160, right after the "Josh Kelly" bout.

Otherwise everyone else Will continue to Duck Him at 154.

2128778 wrote: ↑19 Sep 2025, 15:35

gilgamesh wrote: ↑19 Sep 2025, 10:58 The fact that Lara is still a World Champion in any weight class in Boxing is pathetic honestly. Almost any Middleweight division in history he'd be out of the Top 5 long ago.

To make matters worse, he got that WBA 160lbs belt by beating Thomas "Cornflake" LaManna!

Effing Cornflake. Amazing. And he has fought club fighters, has-been and never-weres since then in “title” defenses.

giacomino wrote: ↑21 Sep 2025, 17:08

2128778 wrote: ↑19 Sep 2025, 15:35

gilgamesh wrote: ↑19 Sep 2025, 10:58 The fact that Lara is still a World Champion in any weight class in Boxing is pathetic honestly. Almost any Middleweight division in history he'd be out of the Top 5 long ago.

To make matters worse, he got that WBA 160lbs belt by beating Thomas "Cornflake" LaManna!

Effing Cornflake. Amazing. And he has fought club fighters, has-been and never-weres since then in “title” defenses.

I can't believe a Boxer allowed his nickname to become "Cornflake" that feels like it's one notch from being "Bitchboy" Lamanna