The UFC president promoted Bud’s, 38, September 2025 victory over Canelo, 35 - which saw Crawford become the undisputed super-middleweight champion - and now White has said he believes the American should still be fighting at the highest level.
When TMZ asked White if Crawford was one of the best fighters of all time, he said said: “100 per cent.
“He decided to retire. I think he should be out there fighting everybody right now. I just think that.
“After seeing the masterpiece that he put on that night, he's so good, man. He's so talented. And I actually like him. He's a great guy.
“We'll put on some fights here and then see how the things start to progress and play out with stuff that I'm working on right now.
“I might give him a call in the next six or seven months.”
Crawford announced his retirement shortly after unifying the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO titles at 168lbs, but White has made clear he is not ready to close the door on future collaborations.
He said: “We’ll put on some fights here and then see how the things start to progress and play out with stuff that I’m working on right now.”
The comments come amid growing uncertainty around Crawford’s next move after he was stripped of the WBC super-middleweight title last month.
The sanctioning body ruled that Crawford had failed to pay around $300,000 in fees linked to his Alvarez win and his August victory over Israil Madrimov, 30, at super-welterweight.
Speaking at the WBC convention in Bangkok, president Mauricio Sulaiman said: “The WBC was instrumental in making Crawford–Canelo … just to receive a slap in the face, it is sad.”
He added: “The championship is now vacant.”
Sources close to Crawford have suggested he could still pursue major fights without chasing belts, potentially remaining at super-middleweight or even exploring a move to 160lbs, which would offer a chance to become a six-weight world champion.
With the WBC title now vacant, Christian Mbilli, 30, was set to face Hamzah Sheeraz, 26, to crown a new champion, but the body ultimately cancelled the bout.
Sulaiman said: “The WBC hereby cancels the ruling of the order Mbilli vs Sheeraz.
“Consequently, the purse bid scheduled for [January 21] is cancelled.”
