Spence Vs. Crawford Rematch In Doubt Following Showtime’s Exit

In the latest boxing news, the rematch between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford is in doubt following Showtime’s exit from boxing.

Following Crawford’s win to become the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era, Spence exercised the rematch with the hope of a bout at 154.

However, since Crawford emerged victorious, the champion was entitled to choose the weight class. And prior to Showtime leaving, Stephen Espinoza outlined the possibility for a rematch in February.

Spence Vs. Crawford

‼️ The Terence Crawford vs Errol Spence rematch is reportedly now being planned for February, though it's claimed there is still no agreement on the weight yet. [According to @MikeCoppinger]

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 12, 2023

“When someone takes a tough fight like that, you want to make sure you’re not rushing them back. Maybe early next year. It’s either late next year or early next year if it happens,” Espinoza

Nevertheless, terms still needed to be ironed out which has resulted in a spanner in the works following Showtime’s exit. And yet, Bernard Hopkins was not disappointed by the news that Showtime had left the sport of boxing. 

The network will no longer broadcast boxing after 2023 as PBC remains on the lookout for a new network. As of now, Amazon Prime and DAZN have been touted as the next possible destinations.

The departure of Showtime, however, has left a huge gap in the US market with numerous big names under the PBC banner no longer having a network.

While Oscar De La Hoya and Eddie Hearn were vocal about their disappointment over Showtime leaving, the same cannot be said when it came to Hopkins. 

Hopkins On Showtime’s Exit

“I think it’s good. That’s why I say rest in peace. Why wouldn’t it be good & why wouldn’t it be bad? You got to look at the new world order, Curtis Mayfield. I don’t look at Showtime getting out of boxing as a bad or good thing. They want you to think that way. I can say I don’t care, but I do. It’s a change. It’s a new world order. It happens in business, too. “‘Oh, they’re leaving, they’re out of boxing. Is that bad?’ No. Rest in peace. It’s over.

“If you ain’t going to live forever, do you think everything is going to last forever? Only suckers are afraid of change. Real men are not afraid of change. They embrace it, they grab it, and they execute every possibility to survive whatever the change is. That’s what a real man does. So let’s see the real men step up in boxing, no matter if every network leaves. Who are you now as a company? That goes for everybody. That doesn’t exclude Golden Boy. That excludes everybody. I want to put that challenge out there. It would be great if more would leave,” Hopkins

Although the departure offers a chance for boxing promoters and networks to work closer together, in the meantime, fighters will be left to wonder their next move.

Canelo Alvarez’s recent three-fight deal remains up in the air, with two fights to go following his win over Jermell Charlo. But provided that PBC finds a suitable alternative, it could present an opportunity for bigger events moving forward. So watch this space.