Crawford, Garcia Bout Weighed as Backup for Fury-Joshua
Organizers are eyeing a potential matchup between the retired Crawford and Garcia if the Fury-Joshua fight is cancelled.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Boxing
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Officials are considering a boxing match featuring Ryan Garcia and Terence Crawford as a contingency plan for the uncertain Fury-Joshua heavyweight bout. The proposed alternative would depend on Crawford coming out of retirement to face the current WBC welterweight titleholder.
Why it matters
The potential pivot highlights the volatility of high-profile boxing schedules, where unresolved issues for main events frequently lead promoters to develop backup matchups to protect card viability.
Ryan Garcia competes at 147 pounds and recently defeated Conor Benn in two rounds, while Terence Crawford last fought at 168 pounds. The match remains purely hypothetical as both fighters would need to settle financial terms and weight adjustments.
The players
Terence Crawford
He is a multi-division world champion who retired from professional boxing in December 2025.
Ryan Garcia
He is the current WBC welterweight titleholder known for his recent victory over Conor Benn.
Turki Alalshikh
He is a prominent boxing power broker and promoter who has previously expressed interest in a Crawford versus Garcia matchup.
The details
Promoter Turki Alalshikh has previously identified a bout between Crawford and Garcia as a desired contest for the sport. If the Fury-Joshua fight fails to materialize, this pairing serves as a backup option to fill the main event slot.
Timeline
December 2025: Terence Crawford announced his retirement from professional boxing.
December 11, 2026: The potential date for the Fury-Joshua fight in Cardiff.
The Big Picture
This potential matchup follows a pattern set by the Fury-Joshua fight negotiations, illustrating the high-stakes contingency planning required in modern boxing promotions.
A matchup between these two would require significant weight class concessions, given that Garcia currently fights at 147 pounds and Crawford's last appearance was at 168 pounds. The realization of this bout would force a major shift in the current divisional rankings for both athletes.
The takeaway
The uncertainty surrounding major bouts underscores why boxing fans should remain skeptical of event cards until formal weigh-ins occur. Promoters often juggle multiple contingency plans, making roster changes a common occurrence in high-profile sports.
Further reading
For more updates on upcoming matches and industry developments, visit Boxing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Boxing News 24.
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