The 4 Best Opponents for Terence Crawford After Win vs. Canelo Alvarez

It's good to be Terence Crawford. Again.

Already a four-division champion destined for a Hall of Fame plaque, the 37-year-old Nebraskan climbed higher on the generational great ladder with a unanimous decision over Canelo Alvarez in their super middleweight showdown in Las Vegas.

Crawford left Allegiant Stadium as the four-belt king at 168 pounds, a class he'd never fought in prior to Saturday night. He won eight of 12 rounds on one official scorecard and seven of 12 on the two others to improve to 42-0 since he turned pro in 2008.

This being boxing, though, it wasn't long after his career-defining victory that "Bud" was fielding questions about what's next.

The B/R combat team waded into the discussion with options framed by who it could and probably will be, who we wish it would be and what out-of-the-box choice might stretch the limits of the modern internet.

Take a look at what we came up with and drop a thought in the app comments.

Who It Could Be: Janibek Alimkhanuly

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Let's face it. There are a lot of guys who'd fit the "could be" category.

But Crawford may have tipped his hand in a post-fight chat with Netflix host Antonio Tarver and others when he said "Who knows? I might go down to 160."

The quote was clipped and posted on social media by Ring Magazine and among its most interested viewers was surely Janibek Alimkhanuly, who's unbeaten in 17 fights and just happens to hold both the IBF and WBO title belts at the weight.

The 32-year-old Kazakh—who'd posted a picture of him and Crawford together last year—was on the Ring post within an hour and retweeted it with thumbs-up and A-OK emojis, indicating he'd be down with giving "Bud" a shot at a sixth divisional title.

Who It Probably Will Be: Canelo Alvarez

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A fighter's interest in the next fight is often tied to a simple question: "Against whom can I make the most money?"

And the answer in this case seems easy. Canelo Alvarez.

Crawford is reportedly $10 million richer for his efforts against the Mexican superstar on Saturday night and it's no stretch to suggest that he'd be closer to the lion's share of the purse (Alvarez was paid $100 million or more) if they were to get together once again under the promotional auspices of Turki Al-Sheikh.

It's the most significant option for him, too, given the media attention generated by the first fight, the crowd of 70,000-plus fans it drew to Allegiant Stadium, and the huge potential audience offered by its streaming placement on Netflix.

Who We Wish It Would Be: No One

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Boxing is a tough business.

And it's not often that a fighter has the chance to walk away with the triple crown of financial security, physical well-being and competitive preeminence.

Which is why we think Crawford, who'll turn 38 in 13 days, ought to take it.

He's been a pro since age 20 and a champion since 26, and is already one of only six men to win recognized championships in five weight classes.

Sure, he could join just Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao in the six-timers club by dropping to 160 to chase another belt, but would a win over an anonymous (by comparison) opponent or even another defeat of Alvarez raise his profile beyond where it is today? We'd say no.

And, gasp... what if he loses?

What Would Break the Internet: Ilia Topuria

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Crawford doesn't appear to be on Jake Paul's radar. So who'll step up to fill the "Problem Child's" internet-stretching shoes?

Well, let's just say Ilia Topuria is shooting his shot.

The two-division UFC champ claimed during fight week that he'd KO Crawford with a single punch if they met in a ring, to which the Nebraskan predictably replied that Topuria was "drunk." But it didn't end there.

Crawford strode to the ring to face Alvarez on Saturday with "Canción del Mariachi" playing through the Allegiant Stadium speakers, the same song Topuria walks to the cage with—a fact the MMA ace didn't see as coincidence.

And if he can get Dana White to sign off, stay tuned.

"It's something I want to do, and I don't think (White) will tell me he doesn't want to help me achieve my dream," Topuria said. "I'll have his support, I have no doubt about that. It'll take some convincing, but I'm sure it'll work out."