Terence Crawford says Errol Spence fight is behind him
The one fight boxing fans want to see may never happen. WBO champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (37-0, 28ko) has made it clear that a fight with unified champion Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. (27-0, 21ko) is no longer a concern of his.
That fight is this generation’s version of “Sugar” Ray Leonard vs Thomas “The Hit Man” Hearn. Crawford’s statement has once again taken the air out of the balloon by saying that fight is behind him.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
This fight has been simmering in the pot on the stove for a very long time. Immediately, when Bud manhandled the WBO Welterweight title from Jeff Horn in June 2018, all the fans were eager to see a huge fight with the Texas champion. Furthermore, Spence had built a reputation of being a boogeyman and he wrestled the IBF championship away from then-champion Kell Brook in May 2017.
The Truth went on to have some high-profile fights afterward. He had two successful pay-per-view fights. One with four-divisional champion Mikey Garcia, and a unification fight against then WBC champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter.
Bud kept the momentum going by facing Jose Benavidez Jr, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, and former champions Amir Khan and Kell Brook. Although many fans did not hold the two latter fighters in high regard, it was still a way to keep the WBO champion busy until the showdown with the unified champion could take place.
Equally important, Spence had a career-threatening car accident in October 2019, which also contributed to the fight being delayed. Crawford’s promoter, Bob Arum, had revealed that if not for the accident, the fight probably would have taken place in 2020.
DEATH BY PURSE SPLIT
Spence Jr. would bypass a tune-up fight upon his return. He went straight into the fire against WBC mandatory challenger Danny “Swift” Garcia on December 2020. After a successful return, the unified champion laid out the groundwork for negotiating a fight with his divisional counterpart by making it clear he is the A-side, which entitles him to get the lion’s share of the purse split.
“I definitely should get the bigger share. I’m not gonna say what Bob Arum said recently, but the proof is in the pudding who’s the bigger draw. He’s a great fighter, but I feel like 60/40, that’s the right price.”
Of course, this did not sit well with the much-accomplished WBO champion, and he took to social media letting the fans know the fight would not happen.
“And they said it was me. I rest my case now, on to the next. That chapter is now closed.”
Now, many fans and pundits still hope that the fight takes place; it is what boxing needs. However, Crawford is not budging, and he doubled down during an intermission interview for the Vergil Ortiz Jr versus Maurice Hooker fight.
“I’m not even worried about Errol Spence anymore. I already told everybody that fight is history for me. I’m not thinking nor worried about Errol Spence anymore that fight is behind me.”
As of right now, the entire boxing community can shrug our shoulders and accept the fact this fight more than likely will not happen.
By: Garrisson Bland
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