Terence Crawford is looking for his 42nd opponent, although he is exercising his right to be picky.

The 37-year-old from Omaha recently became fourth division champion with a win over Israil Madrimov. Now holding the WBA world super welterweight title, ‘Bud’ has a choice between defense, unification or another weight move – the latter being his preferred option as he continues to pursue a fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez at super-middle. .

Should Canelo not take the fight, which is a real possibility, Crawford will have to look elsewhere if he wants to continue competing. One man who has been extremely outspoken is Teofimo Lopez, who would have to move up two divisions himself to make this happen.

The two-weight world champion has employed some strange, controversial and inappropriate tactics in an attempt to lure Crawford into a fight. For its money, it worked.

During an Instagram Live, Lopez expressed his confidence that the fight would happen next year.

“Yes. Next year I promise you guys there will be a fight. Sometime next summer or closer to the fall of 2025. It’s a great year for The Takeover, y’all don’t want to miss it man. It says We still have a lot of great fights ahead of us. I’m hearing rumors about the negotiations between me and Devin Haney. I’m sorry to say that this is all false until further notice.”

Crawford probably won’t share that optimism about the match, at least not yet. The furthest he has gotten in the growing rivalry is offering to fight Lopez outside the ring.

Lopez has fought twice this year, defending his WBO 140-pound title against Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett, winning both on points.