Crawford Could Rematch Spence At 154 – ‘God Willing’
Terence Crawford says he could rematch Errol Spence Jr. at 154 pounds.
Crawford knocked out Spence in the ninth round to become the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era. It was Spence’s first defeat of his career. There was a rematch in place. However, talks broke down as Crawford moved up to junior middleweight. Neither fighter has boxed since then. Crawford is scheduled to fight Israil Madrimov on August 3. A win makes Crawford a four-weight world champion with Madrimov’s WBA Belt.
Spence has been linked with a fight against Sebastian Fundora. Fundora has the WBO and WBC belts at 154 after beating Tim Tszyu. After Fundora’s win, Spence entered the ring to say he wanted the champion next. Reports indicated that the fight could happen in October. However, there is no official confirmation of this yet. But if Crawford and Spence win those fights, there is the chance of a huge unification next.
Crawford Reacts
“The possibility is there. He’s [Spence] fighting [Sebastian] Fundora for his titles [WBO and WBC]. I’m fighting for a title [Israil Madrimov’s WBA 154lbs title, and there is the possibility. He wins his fight, God willing, and I win my fight, God willing, and there’s the possibility,” Crawford said
Nevertheless, there are still several hurdles in the way. A win for Crawford could see him target Canelo Alvarez at 168 pounds. He has expressed his desire to fight for Canelo’s undisputed title, allowing him to become a three-weight undisputed champion. Reports indicate that the Saudis want to make that fight. Alvarez wants $200 million to fight David Benavidez. With the Saudis unlikely to put up those funds, Crawford-Canelo is more viable.
If Bud moves up to 168, it makes it much more difficult for him to come down and fight Spence at 154. At the same time, by taking the Spence fight, he risks becoming too old to face Canelo. As for Spence, there is no guarantee that he boxes again. He has been exploring the role of a promoter since his last fight.
Spence’s Future
He has signed Frank Martin under his management company. He was present at Martin’s fight against Gervonta Davis. While Frank was stopped and suffered the first defeat of his career, Spence found some positives in his role as a promoter. He also recalled his two car accidents, which no longer left him the same.
“But I like the promoter side. I feel like it might be my calling a little bit, being a promoter and looking at the young guys coming up and helping them get to the top of their level, because that’s where we at right now. He [Martin]’s at the top right now, and once he’s at the top, you’re the man. A lot of people take it lightly just because I came back and fought and all that but that’s serious stuff.
“It’s not too many people that go high speed in a Ferrari and get thrown from a Ferrari, land on solid concrete and still be here to talk today, still survive, still be coherent and everything. That was traumatic and a brutal experience that I went through…I’ve [always] been rating him (Crawford) high, I’ve rated him super high. It definitely wasn’t my night, but you know I definitely want to get that back,” Spence stated
Comments
Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.
