Errol Spence To Contend with Mandatories Now Instead of Crawford!
There is a huge domino effect taking place with the cancellation of the undisputed welterweight showdown between unified champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (28-0, 22KO) and WBO champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29KO). Top fighter Jaron “Boots” Ennis and WBA ‘regular’ champion Eimantas Stanionis could be mandated by the sanctioning bodies.
The boxing community was hit in the gut when The Truth dropped a bombshell about the fight being off for November. Furthermore, Spence blamed Bud for stalling things out, causing the fight to be rescheduled for a possible February date.
That quickly got abolished when it was revealed that the WBO champion will be fighting #6 rated David “Ava” Avanesyan. Crawford claims that undisputed with the unified champion would be afterward.
STANIONIS AND ENNIS TO PETITION FOR MANDATORY CALLING
Sounds good, except there are two massive problems that have arisen. According to ESPN, Stanionis’ team intends to enforce their official mandatory position. They had agreed to step aside once before, allowing Spence to unify against former WBA champion Yordenis Ugas. Team Stanionis was potentially going to do the same for the undisputed bout, but recent events have changed things.
During an interview with YSM Sports Media, father/trainer Derek “Bozy” Ennis claimed to have petitioned the IBF to order his son Boots as mandatory.
“We sent a petition in already. I sent one in.”
Spence may have to face back-to-back challengers before re-engaging in talks with Crawford, pushing the undisputed showdown further away. Another twist that fans need to brace themselves for is Spence may decide to move up. As part of his frustrated rant on social media, the unified champion expressed not having such an easy time making weight.
Things are unfolding rapidly as boxing fans are growing tired of being on the receiving end of bad news.
By: Garrisson Bland
Be the first to comment