Espinoza Interested In A 147lbs vs 154lbs Undisputed Bout?
Within the 154-pound division Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (35-1-1, 19 KO’s) is the unquestioned undisputed champion. At welterweight, WBO champion Terence Crawford (39-0, 30 KO’s) and unified champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (28-0, 22 KO’s) will settle the matter of undisputed come July 29. Crawford vs Spence is a tantalizing duel in its own regard, yet, what if the winner of Bud and The Truth squared off with Charlo? Well, SHOWTIME Boxing executive, Stephen Espinoza, was awfully cozy with the idea when asked in a recent media round-robin.
He spoke on the idea of welterweights moving up to junior middleweight with YSM Sports Media.
“I think it’s a very strong possibility, Errol has talked about it, Bud has talked about it, [Keith] Thurman has talked about it, Danny [Garcia] has already done it. So, if that continues and that’s where we get some of these other rivalry’s, it makes a lot of sense to me.”
Stephen Espinoza – Showtime Boxing Executive
HOUSE CLEANING
The winner of Spence versus Crawford going to 154lbs is a very realistic possibility; especially for Spence. Crawford, prior to his welterweight campaign, operated in light and super lightweight divisions. To date, Bud is not known for any bellyaching behind making the 147-pound limit.
Spence on the other hand has frequently been heard to say that making weight is a chore he no longer wants. A jump in weight for The Truth is all but a foregone conclusion.
Before anyone from 147lbs can think about getting their paw on Charlo, however, they might want to pump the brakes. First up for Iron Man is a showdown with undisputed super middleweight champion Saul Alvarez, for a rumble at 168. Then, whether victorious or not, Charlo will return to 154 to defend his quartet of titles against Tim “The Soul Taker” Tsyzu (23-0, 17 KO’s).
A BEAUTIFUL TREND
Given all the moving parts, the 147 versus 154 best of the best showcase is at least a year away at best. To begin, understandably, the Crawford vs Spence contract is armed with a rematch clause. Said to say, judging by the immense pride and competitiveness of each combatant, it’s a safe bet that the loser will want to run it back. This could easily head into a Fury vs Wilder-esque type of saga. Ideally, it will not spill over into on-going saga rivalry’s like Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez or the destructive Rafael Marquez vs Israel Vazquez feud.
Likewise, as previously mentioned, Charlo has at least two fights in Canelo and Tszyu to satisfy. Also, it must be said, Charlo could very well lose to Tszyu. The Soul Taker is coming into his own as a boxer and he would be catching Charlo after a potentially grueling battle with Alvarez and dropping back down to weight classes. That’s a tall order for any fighter. Therefore, the Spence versus Bud victor could easily be dancing with Tim Tszyu.
Only time will tell, but it is a good time in boxing when top-notch fighters are scheduled to face nothing but the best for the next one or two straight years. Let’s hope this latest trend becomes even more infectious and spreads to more big prizefights!
