Terence Crawford hung up the gloves late last year, calling time on an unbeaten professional campaign that spanned 257 rounds and five divisions.
Following his victory against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to become a three-weight undisputed champion, the 38-year-old retired at what many viewed as the perfect time. He left behind an opening for an American star, having occupied the top spot on most pound-for-pound lists.
The likes of Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney will continue to stake their own claims, but are stylistically more comparable to Floyd Mayweather than Crawford.
Another man many tip to become America’s next pound-for-pound star, and whose attributes can be likened to Crawford’s, is Jaron Ennis. In fact, promoter Eddie Hearn said that his charge is the man to ‘replace Crawford’.
“I’ve seen all the top fighters. I truly believe that Jaron Ennis is the pound-for-pound number one in waiting … I think this guy’s going to go through this division, move up to 160, three-weight world champion. I think he’s the guy to replace Terence Crawford. I think he’s that good.”
Crawford, however, is not sold just yet. Speaking on X recently, he said that Ennis ‘can’t even tie my shoes.’
How when he can’t even tie my shoes
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) April 30, 2026
Ennis still has time on his side. Though a fight against Crawford did not materialise, with ‘Bud’ moving to super-welterweight as ‘Boots’ was picking up his old belts at welterweight, he has now moved to 154lbs himself. He is less than two months away from challenging to become a unified champion against Xander Zayas.
It’s a fight Crawford has backed Ennis to win, however he has said that he believes another champion in the division, Sebastian Fundora, has the beating of the American.
The Zayas fight is another opportunity for ‘Boots’ to step out of his countryman’s shadow and carve his own path. At 28 years old, it’s a journey fans will be watching for some time yet.