One day, Terence Crawford won't lace up his gloves, throw on his boxing trunks, and put his mouthpiece in. When that will happen isn't entirely clear, but he's aware that it's coming.

In a career that's been wrapped in big fights, world titles, and loads of cash, the 37-year-old has been searching for an opponent that will get him out of bed in the morning.

WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora, IBF titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev and former WBO titleholder Tim Tszyu were all considered but none provide the star power he searched for. Undisputed super middleweight king Canelo Alvarez however, certainly does.

Ultimately, a showdown between them went from a pipe dream to reality in a matter of months. Now, they'll officially do battle on September 13 in a location TBC.

Fighting Alvarez comes with a lot of risks. The Mexican star is a brutal puncher who boxes well from the outside. Yet the dangers he presents in the ring don't outweigh the financial gain and enhanced legendary status Crawford could earn from emerging victorious.

With so much on the line, including the opportunity to become a three-division undisputed champion, many are convinced that regardless of the result, once the final bell rings, Crawford will vanish into a cloud of retirement dust.

Rumors of him walking away haven't distracted Crawford's preparations in the slightest. That isn't because he's focused on Alvarez but moreso because he simply doesn't know what the future holds, besides their marquee matchup in three months' time.

"Who knows," Crawford told Sporting News Australia when asked about potentially retiring after his upcoming super middleweight debut with Alvarez. "We shall see."

Whether he decides to hang em' up or not, Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) is much closer to the end then the beginning, or even the halfway point of his career. Still, when that day comes, and the appropriate amount of time passes, he’ll be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

With that said, the cement on his legacy isn't entirely dry. Meaning, if Crawford can secure victory over Alvarez, that could push him to a whole different historical stratosphere.

"It would do everything for my legacy and career," Crawford continued. "I'm looking forward to it.”