In a recent conversation with an individual close to retired five-division champion Terence Crawford, the person flatly said “no” to the question of if they expect Crawford to fight again.
Conor McGregor said he’s received the same rejection from the man himself.
Appearing on Tuesday’s “The Ariel Helwani Show,” former two-division UFC champion McGregor said a recent social-media exchange with Crawford over former lightweight champion Ilia Topuria’s Sunday night White House title loss to Justin Gaethje, reminded him of a past offer that emerged for the two to fight.
The first bout would be an MMA fight in the Octagon, the second a boxing match in a ring. The proposed purse was $200 million.
McGregor said Saudi Arabia boxing financier Turki Alalshikh put Crawford on the phone with McGregor, but Crawford said no deal: “I don’t want to be kicked by you, no way.”
Having seen frequent footage of Crawford playfully wrestling with grown men, McGregor told Helwani he was surprised by the rejection.
“I know he can wrestle,” McGregor said. “He walked out of a two-fight deal.”
McGregor will next fight former UFC champion Max Holloway, headlining a UFC card July 11.
Crawford, after attending the White House card, will receive the Boxing Writers Association of America’s fighter-of-the-year award in New York on June 25.
