By Adam Baskin: Errrol Spence Jr says his mega-fight against Terence Crawford on July 29th will determine not only who is the best fighter at 147, pound-for-pound, but also the “best fighter in boxing.”
(Photo credit: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions)
People have been calling for Spence & Crawford to fight for many years, and many of them had given up recently with Errol being involved in car crashes and Terence getting older and long in the tooth.
Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) will have his IBF, WBA & WBC welterweight titles at stake against WBO champ Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) in their battle in nine days from now on July 29th on Showtime PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Errol looked good today and not too thin where he resembled Crypt keeper,‘ but he’s getting there. In eight days from now, Spence will likely be a little emaciated at the weigh-in on July 28th.
Errol Spence Jr: “This is what I’ve worked for my whole career to be the first undisputed welterweight champion of the world and facing a great opponent like Terence Crawford,” said Errol Spence Jr to Premier Boxing Champions during today’s media workout.
Ray Flores: “How much are you looking forward to this moment because two years ago, you were slated to fight the great Manny Pacquiao. One thing you said to me is that you always wanted your big Las Vegas moment where you were headlining.
“Now fast forward less than two years from that. You’re taking on Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford with a lot more on the line, and history could be made for you.”
Spence: “I’m fighting the best, and that’s something I’ve wanted for a long time. You see guys like Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, Hagler, and Duran, all those guys during the ‘Four Kings’ era. They all fought each other, and they had historic fights because the best fought the best.
“That’s something I wanted to do regardless, even if there were no belts on the line. I feel like Terence is one of the best fighters in the world, and I’m one of the best fighters in the world, and we had to make this happen.”
Flores: “With the level of opposition that you have in front of you on Saturday, July 29th, against Terence Crawford, does that make you get that much more focused? Does it amp up the training, or is it just business as usual?
Spence: “It’s definitely business as usual, but it’s amped up the training because of the opponent I’m facing. I know his accolades, and I know he can really fight, and I feel like we’re going to put on a great show and a great performance.”
Flores: “As you’re getting ready for this mega-match-up, I know the world is talking about it. I know that Terence Crawford’s kids were asking him when he was going to fight you. I’m sure that your family is excited bout this, but are you feeling the buzz from the worldwide media I feel like everybody is talking about this match-up nine days from now.”
Spence: “I’m definitely feeling the buzz. I’ve been feeling the buzz. I got to the store, I go anywhere, and the first thing people ask me is when are m and Terence Crawford going to fight. So, I know it was a fight that both of us had to make happen because this is what the public definitely wanted.
“This is what I wanted and what he wanted. It’s to prove who is the man in the welterweight division. Not only who is the man in the welterweight division, but who is the man in boxing.”
Flores: “Is this for best pound-for-pound? Do you think the winner of this fight will be known as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet?”
Spence: “Definitely. The winner of this fight will be known as the best fighter in boxing, period.”
