Is Terence Crawford going to 154?
It’s no secret that WBO world welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (36-0, 27 KO’s) is looking for a major fight. Ever since he entered the welterweight division, the fans and boxing insiders have been beside themselves wanting to see him lock horns with another 147lbs elite. More than anyone else, Bud has had his name tied to WBC and IBF world welterweight champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (26-0, 21 KO’s).
Sadly, the bout with Spence along with a potential fight with Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s) has never come to fruition. And now it is starting to sound like frustration may cause Crawford to make an exodus to another division. At least, it sounds like that is something that Team Crawford is mulling over.
A MOVE IMMINENT?
During a recent interview conducted by The Boxing Source, Bud’s chief second Brian “Bomac” McIntyre revealed that the Nebraska bad boy could very well move up to challenge for another world title.
“I got three guys, that right now it’s an elimination factor. The ’54 pound champion [WBO world super welterweight champion Patrick Teixeira (31-1, 22 KO’s)] for the WBO, if Terence decides that he wants to move up there, he can automatically challenge for that title. The Manny Pacquiao fight is kind of still on the table. So, he hasn’t named an opponent yet. And so we are kind of hoping that we will get a call…of course we want Errol Spence.”
WEIGHING OPTIONS
Of the three bouts listed above, on the outside looking in, it would seem that ironically the 154lbs title fight would be the easiest to make happen. Crawford has openly chased a fight with Pacquiao since both men were housed under the Top Rank promotional banner.
Despite both men claiming to want the fight, it has remained unrealized for all these years. While it would be a great announcement to hear that this dust-up was coming next, it’s particularly unlikely. The same situation exists with the Spence showdown.
Even though both men have repeatedly let it be known that they want to it mix-up, money and boxing politics have muddied the road to getting this event finalized. This is not even to mention reduced paydays and audience restrictions due to COVID-19 . With these long standing obstacles still in the way, it’s rather far-fetched to think that Spence or Pac Man will be the next dance partners for Bud .
154 LEADING THE PACK?
The bout with Teixeira has the highest potential of being made simply because as the WBO welterweight champion, Crawford has the option to move up and challenge for the title right away. On the one hand, it would be a good look for Crawford to challenge for another world title in a fourth division. On the other hand, Teixeira is not a house-hold name and his resume, in terms of name recognition, leaves a great deal to be desired. Assuming that Bud did contract the title fight at 154, and prevailed, then what? Would he then remain at 154lbs or immediately drop back down to welterweight?
Crawford has not expressed any burning desire to move up and a solid win at 154 does little to advance his cause at 147. So even though a Teixeira prizefight would be an interesting and very feasible bout, it is only a temporary fix to Crawford’s chronic opponent problem.
No matter how it turns out it will be very interesting to see who Crawford fights next.
By: Bakari Simpson
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