Arum admits Crawford could leave for PBC
This news is going to turn the boxing community upside down. Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum admits there is a chance arguably top pound for pound fighter and WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (36-0, 27ko) could be leaving for the rival entity Premier Boxing Champions.
Crawford is set to defend the title against former IBF champion Kell “Special K” Brook (39-2, 27ko) on November 14. However, several boxing enthusiasts feel that the former champion’s best days are behind him and this fight will not boost the WBO champion’s profile.
THE PBC LOCKOUT
Since arriving in the welterweight division, the Nebraska boxer beat down then WBO champion Jeff “The Hornet” Horn (20-3-1, 13ko) for the title, and was hoping to get in on the mix with some of the bigger names in the division over at rival boxing entity PBC.
However, things have not been working out that way. With big fights taking place over at the rival network, the champion has had to settle with fighting subpar opposition. It also did not help that the so-called other side of the street PBC brand was freezing him out. At times, they would not even acknowledge him as one of the top champions in the division.
It became clear that if the champion wanted to get a mega-fight with the tops guys in the division, a move across the street was the only way. Moreover, a fight with unified champion Errol “The Truth” Spence (26-0, 21ko) was set to take place but got derailed when the Texas champion was in a life-threatening car accident back in 2019.
LOOKING FOR A CHANGE
Now, it has been rumored that Crawford has been frustrated with the situation and it has been hard for Top Rank to find quality opposition. Furthermore, he could be looking for a new home with the PBC flagship.
During an interview with Barbershop Conversation, the legendary promoter acknowledged there is a possibility of that coming into fruition. However, he explained that quality opposition will become available from guys in the junior welterweight division.
“That may very well be. We will have to see, but again we have the biggest group of one hundred forty pounders coming up that will soon be at one hundred forty-seven, whether it is Ramirez or Taylor, Zepeda or Barbosa. So there will be plenty of real talent for him to fight.”
The legendary promoter would also explain why a move to rival PBC is not beneficial.
“When you look at PBC, if he wanted to fight Porter, we could do that fight. Porter is not limited. If Porter and he decided to fight, we could do that fight. The only fighter I think would make sense for Terence to fight is Spence. But again, that is all well and good, but who is going to pay for that fight?”
“Each of the guys are going to want big money for the fight, and where is it coming from? Wake up and smell the roses, boys.”
By: Garrisson Bland
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