By Chris Williams: Talks between IBF/WBA/WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence and WBO champ Terence Crawford have restarted for an undisputed fight at 147.
The Dallas News is reporting that the unbeaten Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) and Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) are once again negotiating for a “hopeful” fight this year. However, Spence, 33, could face inactive former WBA/WBC champion Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman next summer on June 17th if the Crawford fight doesn’t pan out.
“Contract talks have restarted for an undisputed welterweight world title fight between Errol Spence and Terence Crawford,” per Dallas News.
Given how long Spence & Crawford have been going back & forth with talks of them fighting, the fan interest in this match-up has dropped off badly to the point where this fight won’t attract nearly as much hype as it would have if the two had fought during the zenith of their careers.
This is a match that has way, way past its sell-by-date. Spence-Crawford is on the level of the Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook fight in being overdue. You can’t compare the Spence vs. Crawford clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Manny Pacquiao, which took place six years too late when both guys were old because those two were still fighting top-level opposition.
Spence hasn’t fought a top guy since his win over Kell Brook in 2017, and Crawford has NEVER fought a top name at 147 or 140. The only top fighter Crawford has fought during his career was Yuriorkis Gamboa, which was at lightweight in 2014 against a natural featherweight fighter.
It would be better for Spence to move up to 154 and take on undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo, Tim Tszyu, or Sebastian ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora rather than waste time on fighting Crawford, who isn’t popular and wouldn’t be able to create much interest.
The promoters for the Spence vs. Crawford fight could take a huge financial bath if they give them both sizable guarantees because the PPV money likely won’t be huge for this outdated fight.
Spence hasn’t fought in over a year, stopping Yordenis Ugas in the tenth round of a grueling battle at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Ugas hurt Spence during that fight in the sixth round, sending him falling back against the ropes, which held him up, saving him from going down.
The Spence vs. Crawford event organizers need to be cautious about the money they put into it because they could lose a lot if the match only brings in a trickle of PPV buys.
These two aren’t popular like Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia and are NOT young. Crawford is about to turn 36, and Spence is an old looking 33. Spence has blown up in weight and looks more like an overweight promoter than an athlete.