By Gav Duthie: When Top Rank supremo Bob Arum mapped out WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford’s 2020, I was bored reading it never mind living it. It is well documented that all the best 147lb fighters bar ‘Bud’ Crawford are with Al Haymon and the PBC.
Arum told IFL TV that the only two fights of interest with their stable were Errol Spence Jnr who would be unavailable for a considerable time due to injury and possibly Shawn Porter.
Cold water was poured on the idea of Crawford facing Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman or his own former top dog Manny Pacquiao. Arum stated that a fight with Spence could be negotiated in 10 minutes but his injuries following a horrific car crash meant he could be out for a considerable time.
Spence did an interview on the Charlo-Harrison card saying he would be back May or June time and seemed to be in pretty good shape generally speaking. Proof of Spence’s recovery could put pressure on Arum to make that fight happen.
Top Rank plans for Crawford
When assessing how 2020 might look for Crawford the only welterweight mentioned was Shawn Porter. Arum also suggested a potential fight with 140lb WBC, WBO champion Jose Ramirez providing he gets past WBA and IBF champion Josh Taylor. Also moving up to 154lbs to face newly crowned WBO champion Patrick Teixeira was put forward.
For a fighter who is considered by many to be the #1 P4P fighter in the world this is a bit worrying. Crawford is in danger of being surpassed by Canelo, Naoya Inoue, Vasyl Lomachenko and even Spence in his own division because of the challenges they are taking on. Although many have criticised Canelo for facing Sergiy Kovalev to win his 4th weight world title as opposed to Bivol or Beterbiev it was still a good win.
Beating the likes of Teixeira would get Crawford a 4th weight title also but few would be interested in this fight. If he wants credibility for that it would be a case of going back to the PBC to face Charlo. If he was to defeat Jose Ramirez or Josh Taylor this would be simply achieving the same as he did before in 2017 by dominating the best fighters at 140lbs.
The PBC
Al Haymon could completely freeze out Crawford if he wanted to. Spence still hasn’t fought Pacquiao or Thurman. Pacquiao could still face Porter or Danny Garcia and the bouts between Thurman and Garcia, Thurman and Porter, Thurman and Pacquaio and Spence v Porter were all close enough for possible rematches. Even other top 10 fighters like Yordenis Ugas are also promoted by PBC meaning a lot of doors are closed to Crawford or at the least difficult to open.
Other fighters
Of course the PBC doesn’t have a monopoly on fighters at 147lbs but even other top guys are not promoted by Top Rank. If they can get away with it they would always prefer to match fighters from their own stable which is why Pacquiao fought a trilogy with Tim Bradley and four fights with Juan Manuel Marquez. Back in Manny’s prime Top Rank were probably the main promoter so it was much easier to matchmake from within as opposed to now.
There is a lot of buzz about Vergil Ortiz 15-0 (15) right now but he is Oscar De La Hoya’s new Goldenboy and his relationship with Arum is also frosty. Another exciting prospect Jaron Ennis 24-0 (22) is promoted by Cameron Dunkin’s Now Boxing Promotions so that might be easier to make but Ennis doesn’t have the reputation yet to get a fight like this although he does have the skills.
Eddie Hearns DAZN has just signed Mikey Garcia and he also has Kell Brook, but both fighters need to build a bit of reputation back. I still think Garcia should settle at 140lbs and Brook seems still undecided about 147 or 154lbs. His last couple of fights have been at the higher limit but he often mentions fighting the top welterweights.
2020
Crawford fought twice in 2019 against Amir Khan and Egidijus Kavaliauskas and I have no doubt that Top Rank will get him another 2 decent fights next year. The question is whether or not they can deliver the truly great fights in dealing with PBC so that Crawford gets what he needs to cement his legacy and P4P status.
