That video of him lifting Opetaia in the sand is pure gold for his image. Opetaia is a powerful cruiserweight, so seeing Crawford lift him like a sack of potatoes shows that old wrestling background and insane functional strength is still there. It makes people talk about how dangerous he remains.
Crawford says he’s done, and maybe he is. He’s already turned down Jaron Ennis, which makes sense because there’s nothing for him to prove against the younger guys. But by staying close to Turki Alalshikh and these massive international events, he keeps the door open. If a massive, absurdly lucrative opportunity ever comes along that actually interests him, he’s never really left the public eye. He’s just making sure that if he ever decides to entertain an offer, the price tag remains astronomical.
This is the ultimate masterclass in staying relevant without risking a single thing. Crawford knows exactly how this industry operates. If a retired fighter stays at home, the public moves on to the next big thing within months, but when you fly to Egypt and put yourself right in the middle of a massive Riyadh Season production, you completely control the narrative.
Consider the calculation here. Crawford avoids the young, hungry challengers like Jaron Ennis, who want to use his legacy as a springboard, yet he ensures he’s the most talked about guy on the sand by lifting an elite cruiserweight like Opetaia. It sends a loud, clear message to the promoters and the networks that Crawford remains a big physical force and a premium box office draw.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with the heavyweights, Terence keeps his stock through the roof. He’s positioning himself so that if he ever decides to don the gloves again, he’s not just coming back for a standard payday.
BUD X OBETAIA 🤼
Only Terence Crawford and Jai Opetaia struggle in front of the Pyramids of Giza 😂
Glory in Giza | 23 May | LIVE on DAZN 🥊 pic.twitter.com/CXaV0rSgbm
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 22, 2026
