Terence Crawford insists he is fighting Canelo Alvarez for legacy reasons rather and has denied suggestions he is only seeking a huge payday.
Crawford will move up two weight classes to face unified super middleweight champion, Canelo in Las Vegas in September, at a venue still to be determined.
The Omaha man will undoubtedly pocket a career-best salary when he faces the number one draw in the sport, but the 37-year-old maintains that he is motivated by legacy over money.
“That’s the legacy fight there for me,” Crawford told Cigar Talk.
“A lot of people say, ‘he’s money hungry, he’s looking at money and he’s trying to cash out.’
“I’ve been getting money for years and I’m not stupid with my money as you can see.
“I don’t buy Ferraris and Lamborghinis.”
A fight between Canelo and Crawford almost collapsed after the former was presented with a fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer, Jake Paul for May 3, but eventually the 34-year-old opted against it and instead signed a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season.
Canelo will look to regain the undisputed super middleweight crown when he tackles IBF champion, William Scull on May 3 in Saudi Arabia.
Crawford, who holds the WBA super welterweight title is not expected to fight before facing Alvarez and would have been out of the ring over 12 months by the time he meets the Mexican.
According to Crawford’s trainer, Brian McIntyre, there will be no rehydration clause on Canelo and ‘Bud’ says he has no concerns over the jump up in weight.
“He been in the weight class far longer,” he added.
“He’s actually been up to 175.
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“But at the same time, like I said, skills pay the bills and I think I got the skills to handle my own.
“I’m strong. I think I’m underrated with my power and I think you know, he’s definitely going to have the comfortability with being at the weight for so long, so he’s going to be more comfortable.
“But at the same time, that’s what we fight for to see.”
