Bob Arum Presents Four Potential Fights for Crawford
When it comes to WBO world welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (36-0, 27 KO’s), there is no question that fight fans most want to see him face WBC and IBF word welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (26-0, 21 KO’s). Trouble with that is, it appears that Spence Jr will first test his might against former two-division champion Danny “Swift” Garcia (36-2, 21 KO’s).
Luckily, the potential prizefight between Spence Jr and Garcia has been talked about since last year. Due to the length of time that this bout has been on the table, Top Rank has had the window of opportunity to put together an alternate list of would-be foes for Bud to dance with.
At the moment, there are high hopes that Bud could get the call to share the ring with WBA super world welterweight champion Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s). Although, there is no guarantee that this fight will be finalized.
OPTIONS AT HAND
Recognizing that they need to supply a worthy fight option for their top tier champion, Bob Arum, in an exclusive interview with TalkSport, has revealed who Crawford could lock horns with next. Provided that the fight with Pac Man does not take place, a bout that would be extremely costly, Arum is confident that a worthy substitute can be identified and selected.
“That’s the opponent [Pacquiao] that I would most like Terence to fight, and I think he would. Now, that requires a lot of money and we’ve had proposals from the Mid-East. I don’t know if those proposals will be available for this year. That is the problem.”
“I don’t know whether the Mid-East venues will allow spectators this year; they may not allow it until there’s a vaccine. Otherwise, we have to look for Terence Crawford to fight a major welterweight. There are a number that are possibilities. [Keith] Thurman, [Shawn] Porter or this kid [Yordenis] Ugas, the Cuban who’s a good, good welterweight.”
“They’re with Al’s [Haymon] company PBC, but we’re working well together with that company; so I don’t think that’ll be a problem. And then finally there’s Kell Brook, whose management contacts me on almost a weekly basis. So the first possibility is Pacquiao, if that’s possible. Second possibility is a fight against one of Al’s guys. And the third possibility is Kell Brook, if we can get him in the United States.”
DECISION, DECISIONS
Ideally Top Rank and their officials will be able to quickly isolate and confirm one of these options. Terence Crawford is a supreme talent in the sport and it would be a shame and a waste if he was not able to secure an elite opponent in his next outing.
Stay tuned to 3kingsboxing.com for all the latest boxing news and updates.
By: Bakari Simpson
