Espinoza: “If People Are Reasonable Then Spence v Crawford Is Possible”

Stephen Espinoza Says Errol Spence v Terence Crawford Will Come Down to Numbers

With much fewer obstacles standing in the way of the undisputed showdown between unified champion Errol “The Truth” Spence (28-0, 22KOs) and WBO champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29KOs), the boxing world is impatiently waiting for these guys to get a deal done. However, they’re not the only important people that will factor into whether a deal will get done or not. Stephen Espinoza, President of Showtime Sports, is entrenched in the middle of this whole negotiation process as well. Luckily for boxing fans, he has tons of experience when it comes to helping facilitate big fight showdowns. Espinoza was able to secure the long-overdue Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao fight signed back in May of 2015.

LET’S BE REASONABLE

Speaking to Fight Hype, Espinoza expressed optimism about the fight getting done. He also cautioned that everyone involved would have to be realistic.

“Well, it’s very, very possible and more possible now. But like I’ve said, really at the end of the day it’s up to two things. One is do the fighters want the fight, and that is beyond a shadow of a doubt. Both of them do want the fight. And the second point is, is everyone going to be reasonable about the deals? And look, I’m all for fighters getting paid. Everybody knows that they put a lot on the line and they deserve it.

But its has got to be a financially viable fight, so it’s a big fight. Is it Mayweather-Pacquiao? It’s not. Very few things are, but if people are looking for Mayweather or Pacquiao money, then it’s going to be a problem. But if people are realistic about getting the fight done, then a deal can be made. I think that’s really the issue now. It’s come down to, okay we’re past the conceptual part. What are the numbers? What’s it going to take to make this fight? And that’s where we’re at right now, and I’m not pointing fingers and saying that anybody’s not being reasonable, but that’s what we need to figure out now. “

RELATED: Spence Optimistic On Crawford Match: “We Will Fight This Year”

What Espinoza is saying is correct, as much as fans, pundits, and Showtime themselves want the fight. They’re in the money-making business, and for them to get this fight done, everything has to be within reason so that everyone involved can make money and be satisfied after everything is all said and done.

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By: Jerrell Fletcher

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