Blame it on Janibek for denying Erislandy Lara a chance to become a unified champion. Still, as it ultimately turned out, it may not be all sorrow and despair for the Cuban-American middleweight star. All’s well that ends well, and nothing proves the Bard’s timeless words better than Lara’s resounding victory over Johan Gonzalez, the last-minute replacement for Alimkhanuly, who reportedly failed doping tests.

While Erislandy Lara continues his reign as the oldest active champion in boxing, the win over Gonzalez has nonetheless sparked renewed interest in what comes next. With Alimkhanuly’s future unclear and Lara reportedly unwilling to face fellow stablemate Carlos Adames, some fans now find a Terence Crawford fight a real possibility.

Lara’s triumph triggers Crawford buzz

Putting to rest any doubts created by his 14-month layoff following his ninth-round retirement victory over Danny Garcia, Lara knocked down Gonzalez twice before cruising to his third title defense. While his stock had fallen significantly in comparison with Janibek Alimkhanuly, it rose sharply overnight, making him the clear favorite against the 12th-ranked Venezuelan light middleweight contender.

Considering he will turn 43 in April next year, Lara may be entering the final stretch of an illustrious 17-year career. It’s too early to predict his next move. But isn’t it far too early to seriously entertain a matchup with someone like Terence Crawford as well?

Crawford, now a former undisputed super middleweight champion, finds himself at a crossroads. Rumors of a rematch with Canelo, whom he defeated three months ago, have resurfaced. However, other reports suggest he may test the waters at 160 pounds in an attempt to become an undisputed champion in a fourth weight class.

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If that happens, he would inevitably find himself in Lara’s orbit, among others. Here’s what some fans had to say.

Fans zero in on Terence Crawford vs. Erislandy Lara

One fan went straight to the point: “Crawford vs. Lara gotta be next! Line ’em up!” While it sounds exciting, the matchup remains a tall order to formalize. Crawford is now a global star. Considering his status and stature, one has to ask – how much would a fight against an aging champion like Lara truly add to his legacy?

A few others quickly pointed out the reality. One stated, “Definitely, hard to see Lara beating Crawford or Janibek. Age has taken its toll.” Had Lara knocked out Gonzalez, perhaps the discussion would have taken a different turn.

Another fan added, “I want Crawford to go undisputed at 160, but I don’t want him to cook Lara lol.” That scenario seems unlikely, but if Crawford moves down to 160 pounds and Lara still holds a title there, such a fight almost writes itself.

Meanwhile, appreciation for Lara continued to pour in. One supporter wrote, “Erislandy Lara is a hall of famer, no debating. The most avoided man for a reason. Father Time doesn’t know where he lives at.” Whether he’s truly the most avoided remains debatable, but with this win, he has once again shown that age can be just a number.

Still, not everyone was convinced Lara’s performance justified talks of a high-profile showdown. One viewer noted, “Well…not quite a firecracker, but at least we got some action at the end, if we can call that some consolation. But man…I’m glad that’s over. Jeez, that was a tough watch.”

As the months progress, Crawford’s name can be expected to surface more often in the middleweight conversation.

So fans shouldn’t be surprised if Crawford vs. Lara gains some momentum. Yet given Lara’s age and his recent form, many diehards may find it difficult to embrace a matchup between a pound-for-pound great and a champion who may already be past his prime.

What about you? Would a Crawford-Lara fight rekindle your interest?