Spencer Oliver believes Terence Crawford could face Chris Eubank Jr as part of a plan to face Canelo Alvarez.
Crawford has yet to compete in the ring since his dominant stoppage win over Errol Spence, but has been linked with a whole host of fights including against Alvarez
The American is considered one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the sport, but has yet to decide his next opponent as he remains a free agent.
It was originally deemed likely that he would meet Spence for a second time, but plans were put on hold.
Reports instead indicated that Crawford was now in shock talks to face British middleweight Eubank Jr at 160lbs, which his potential rival later confirmed.
It would be a leap of 13lbs from his previous fight at welterweight where he currently holds the undisputed titles.
On the latest episode of talkBOXING, Oliver suggested that he believes it could be as part of a longer goal to make a permanent shift to middleweight.
“I know what he is doing here,” he claimed. “I believe he will box Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight, who is ranked highly with all the governing bodies.
“He has to grow into the weight, and he will look at this opportunity positively with Eubank Jr at the twilight of his career.
“He will want to steal Eubank Jr’s WBO ranking with a win [No.2].
“He will then want to move a world title at middleweight, before moving up to super-middleweight to face Canelo. I think that is the journey.
“I was told that and I believe it will give him time to allow his body to adjust, and he can then get that showdown with Canelo.”
Eubank Jr was heavily linked with finally settling his rivalry against Conor Benn, but the Brighton native now looks likely to take on a huge alternative challenge.
A venue and date is currently unclear, but it will likely be an opportunity for Eubank Jr to write his name in lights in the USA.
Both ‘Bud’ and his potential opponent are trained by Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, but is expected that he will corner Crawford on the night.
A super fight with Alvarez does seem currently unlikely, given the Mexican refused to entertain any fight with Crawford when asked earlier this year.
However, if he proves himself at a higher weight, he may well change Canelo’s mind.
