Exciting Developments in Boxing
Exciting developments are underway in the world of boxing as discussions progress for a significant middleweight title unification bout between IBF and WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly and WBC titleholder Carlos Adames. This match, expected to be officially announced soon, looks to consolidate the three major belts at 160 pounds, setting the stage for Terence Crawford’s historical ambitions in the sport by 2026.
Anticipation for the Fight
Janibek, who holds two of the important belts, shared on social media that fans should prepare for an eagerly awaited announcement regarding the fight. He expressed:
“Dear boxing fans, very soon you’ll hear the news you’ve all been waiting for, and it’s going to be the long-anticipated showdown in the middleweight division!”
Adames echoed this sentiment in an interview with journalist Fernando Sabatini, stating:
“We’ve been chasing it for a long time, and although we didn’t finalize it earlier, I’m confident the fight is going to happen. We’re close to making it official.”
Significance Beyond the Middleweight Division
The significance of this impending match extends beyond just the middleweight division; it could open the door for Crawford, fresh off a dominant victory over Canelo Alvarez at super middleweight, to become the first ever boxer to claim undisputed titles across four weight classes. He recently hinted at a potential move to middleweight, remarking:
“I’m going to sit down with my team, and we’ll discuss what comes next for Terence Crawford. Who knows, I might go down to 160.”
Such a move would be groundbreaking and indicative of his ambitions as he approaches the latter part of his career.
Future Implications for Crawford
If successful in unifying the belts, Crawford could directly challenge for the three-belt title without needing additional fights, skipping the common path fighters often take towards big showdowns. At 37 years of age, Crawford is focused on securing high-profile fights, and should Janibek and Adames succeed in their union, the possibility of Crawford contending for that unified title is tangible — potentially unfolding in 2026.
In addition, the current situation suggests that Crawford may soon relinquish the titles he secured from Alvarez, further clearing his ambitions for a historic showcase in the middleweight ranks. With the potential for another title up for grabs should the WBA champion become involved, a unique opportunity awaits Crawford to solidify his legacy.
