Even though boxing superstar Terence Crawford is just two days away from mixing it up with an undefeated world champion, fans and experts can't help but wonder what's next for the pound-for-pound star.
While WBA super welterweight champ Israil Madrimov stands menacingly in his way, the temptation to plot Crawford's next move is too powerful to ignore. There are several possibilities across numerous weight classes, but who is most likely to get the call?
MORE: SN's Top-12 best pound-for-pound boxers
It must be said that we're dealing in hypotheticals here. Madrimov is an excellent boxer-puncher and he's being criminally overlooked by a large percentage of fans and media who don't know any better. Crawford is the favorite and justifiably so, but stranger things have happened.
However, just for fun, let's assume that Crawford wakes up on Sunday as the WBA 154-pound champion. Who would be next on Bud's hit list?
The Sporting News looks at the options available for Crawford in the months ahead.
Will Terence Crawford fight Canelo Alvarez?
Maybe the question should be, will Canelo Alvarez fight Terence Crawford?
The chances of this fight happening are very slim, simply because Canelo has so much to lose. While Crawford would receive a gargantuan payday and massive plaudits for taking on a much bigger man, Canelo runs the risk of damaging his legacy almost beyond repair.
Despite everything he's accomplished in boxing, Canelo losing to Crawford would define his career and render past accomplishments redundant. Fans would quickly forget the magisterial wins, the multitude of title belts and the pound-for-pound ascent. Instead, they would quickly point out that Canelo was knocked off his perch by a welterweight.
Some things are worth more than money. The risk for Canelo isn't worth the reward.
Will Terence Crawford fight Jaron "Boots" Ennis?
In many ways, this fight isn't worth the risk for Crawford.
"Boots" is the reigning IBF welterweight champion and a brilliant talent. At 32-0, the 27-year-old switch hitter has yet to be tested in an eight-year professional career and many are tipping him as a future pound-for-pound No. 1.
Crawford, who has reigned in three divisions for over a decade, has only recently crossed over to superstar status. Meanwhile, Ennis only became a world champion last year, he's only won three title fights and is best known to a hardcore audience.
From a business perspective, Crawford wouldn't be in a rush to make this one happen. At 36 years of age, he has other big fight options available with considerably less risk, so why give Boots a chance to win the lottery?
It might be frustrating for fight fans, but this train of thought is a reality.
Will Terence Crawford fight Sebastian Fundora?
In March, Fundora stepped in as a very late replacement for Keith Thurman to upset the previously unbeaten Tim Tszyu, claiming the WBC and WBO super welterweight titles in the process.
Just weeks later, it was reported that Fundora would make his first defense against former unified welterweight champ Errol Spence Jr. However, there's been no official announcement and mandatory assignments are now closing in.
In April, the WBO ordered Fundora to fight the Crawford-Madrimov winner. If Crawford prevails, then the 6-5 Fundora would be guaranteed a career-high payday against the pound-for-pound star and would have a chance to make history.
Fundora is aligned with Premier Boxing Champions, which would have been a problem some years ago. The good news is that Crawford is now a free agent and the PBC would be gung-ho to secure his services for such a fight.
Will Terence Crawford fight Bakhram Murtazaliev?
Who? While he's far from being a household name, Murtazaliev is the undefeated IBF super welterweight champion of the world.
The 31-year-old Russian achieved that distinction by stopping Jack Culcay in April and there's every possibility that he could enter the Crawford sweepstakes very soon.
Based in the U.S., Murtazaliev is managed by Egis Klimas, who is one of the shrewdest figures in boxing. If Crawford aims to mop up at 154 pounds, then look for the IBF champ's brain trust to position their man for a dream fight.