This week, MMA sensation Conor McGregor revealed that he will be in two fights with four-division champion Terence Crawford, one under boxing rules and one under mixed martial arts rules.
According to McGregor, he spoke to Crawford on the phone about the matter, claiming that he could earn a hefty $200 million honorarium. Subsequently, McGregor revealed on Instagram that Crawford "would very like" to accept the offer, and Crawford himself left a message under McGregor's Instagram - I was tempted!
It is understood that the $200 million reward McGregor mentioned is by no means a confession, but the intention of Turki Alalshkh, the wealthy financier of Saudi Arabia, to facilitate the confrontation between the two sides. According to sources, Alashech is very interested in the Crawford vs McGregor battle and is willing to provide a huge appearance fee, and now that Alashich has the support, then Crawford and McGregor are indeed expected to reach an agreement.
However, just one day later, Crawford turned down the big fight offer, making it clear in an interview that he wouldn't fight McGregor, especially heading to the Octagon under mixed martial arts rules. Crawford was very down-to-earth, bluntly saying that boxers are dangerous to enter the octagon, and stressed that it was not a matter of money.
"I told McGregor that I don't want to play any octagon rules with you so you can kick me with your legs and hit me with your elbows," Crawford said. Dude, I respect you, you respect my sport as much as I respect your sport, and you understand that I'm going to be at a disadvantage when I get into the octagon, just like you're going to be at a disadvantage when you get into the professional ring. We're going to make a lot of money, yes, but you don't kick me and use elbows, it's no joke. ”
For Crawford, a reward of $200 million is no less than rain in the sky, but Crawford is a clear stream in his field, and he values his boxing legacy and all-win record very much, so he is not willing to take risks at all. Crawford knew that it wasn't a big problem to level McGregor under the rules of professional boxing, but he would definitely lose when it came to an opponent in the Octagon, so Crawford clearly chose the latter in the face of money and glory.
Crawford's highest remuneration so far was a guaranteed appearance fee of $20 million in last year's battle with Errol Spence, and for most of the rest of the year, his remuneration was in the 7 figures, and in the last game against Israel Madrid, Crawford's guaranteed appearance fee was only $2.5 million, which can be described as quite "poor".
Some argue that Crawford is really "used to being poor", otherwise there is no reason to refuse $200 million. The reality is that very few popular professional fighters get involved in mixed martial arts because it's not necessary, and why? Crawford also said before, it is nothing more than that many fans feel that Crawford can take risks, even if he loses in the Octagon Cage, no one will blame him, it is nothing more than Crawford himself is unwilling to let the public see that he has been beaten fat.
Boxing columnist James Slater expressed his understanding and recognition of Crawford, which he felt was a sign of backbone, and he wrote in the report: Once again, praise Crawford for refusing to be tempted by a powerful dollar.
At the moment, Crawford is still unsure of an opponent and is hell-bent on challenging Carneiro Alvarez, but the odds are slim to none. Next, Crawford could face WBC and WBO double champion Sebastian Fundora, and the relevant organizations have now postponed the negotiations for the two sides for 10 days, depending on the final outcome?
Will Crawford play Fontola? Or leave without an ideal opponent? Fans need an answer.