WBO names Shawn Porter as Terence Crawford’s Mandatory
According to the WBO’s new rankings, former world champion Shawn “Showtime” Porter (31-3-1, 17 KO’s) is now their #1 ranked welterweight in the world. With this distinction, Porter is also the mandatory challenger for WBO world welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford’s (36-0, 27 KO’s) title. This will come as wonderful news to scores of boxing fans.
Many in the boxing public have demanded that Bud take on the steeper challenges in the division. Still, for various reasons, the most desired marquee fights have remained elusive. Even though it has yet to come to fruition, Porter and Crawford have spoken with one another about locking horns. Yet, due to their friendship, neither has rushed to make the fight happen.
Each say they are willing to trade leather. However, until the most ideal business situation presented itself, neither were dying to pull the trigger. Now it seems that the decision just may be out of their hands.
WHO’S NEXT?
Porter was just in the ring on August 22, picking up a well-deserved win over the little-heralded German fighter Sebastain Formella (22-1, 10 KO’s). Since he was just in the squared-circle, it is unlikely that he will turn right around and pen a bout with Crawford. Although, given the ferocious tenacity that Showtime maintains as a fighter, it would not be surprising if he was open to facing Bud next.
Not only did Porter absorb very little damage in the bout, Crawford appears to still be in need of an opponent. It’s now been nine months since Bud last competed against Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas (21-1-1, 17 KO’s). Despite Kavaliauskas being a talented and worthy competitor, he was largely written off and given next to no chance to win by the boxing public. Once in the ring, Bud maintained that perception to perfection over the course of a nine-round destruction.
So, let’s wait and see what Team Crawford will announce next in terms of who their next assignment will be. Two things are for certain though: one, if Bud chooses to tangle with Porter, it will definitely be no easy win. Two: after facing Showtime, no one will be able to continue saying Crawford hasn’t faced anyone at 147! These are certainly exciting times in the boxing world!
By: Bakari Simpson
