By Jim Calfa: Terence Crawford could push for concessions from Errol Spence Jr. for the rematch that potentially derail the fight.
There’s the potential that Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) could ask for a bigger purse split than what is spelled out in the rematch clause to increase the weight to 154, which is where Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) wants and needs it to be for him not to be weight drained.
As the winner of the first fight on July 29th, Crawford can select the weight for the rematch with Spence, meaning that he can increase it to 154 or keep it at 147, and there’s nothing Errol can do about it.
So if Spence wants & needs the weight to be increased to 154, Crawford could grant him his wish in return for a larger purse split. If Spence refuses, the rematch won’t happen. Crawford will move on and fight whoever.
The problem that Crawford has is he doesn’t have anyone that he can fight for the time being that will bring him the same payday he’d get fighting Spence again.
So in effect, Crawford would be shooting himself in the foot if he attempts to play hardball by pressuring Spence for a larger purse split to raise the weight to 154.
Crawford has already said that he won’t fight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis & Keith Thurman, which is foolish, given that he can make more money fighting them than anyone at 154, apart from Jermell Charlo, who could be busy for a while if he successfully defeats Canelo Alvarez on September 30th.
If Crawford chooses to try and muscle Spence for a bigger purse split, he would be doing him a favor because if he refuses, he can move on to rebuild his career at 154, 160, or 168.
Granted, Spence wouldn’t make the same kind of money he would have gotten fighting Crawford, but he’d save himself from taking punishment fighting in a weight class that he’s too big to safely compete in at this stage of his career at 147.
Bernardo Osuna: “There are other complications for this rematch [between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford].”
Mike Coppinger: “Potentially, yes, because the first fight was at 147 pounds. Errol said afterward that he was done at 147. But the winner of the first fight was able to select the weight for the second fight.
“So it going to be up to Terence Crawford [to select the weight for the rematch with Spence]. If he wants to fight at 154, then no problem at all. But if Crawford decides he wants Errol Spence to make some concessions to move the weight up, then there will have to be some sort of negotiations, and I could definitely see some issues there.
“With the rematch clause and the purse splits already decided ahead of time. This fighter, X, gets more if he wins, and so forth. So, I don’t think it’s going to be cut & dried to change that weight.”
“Yeah, a rematch at 154,” said Yordenis Ugas at Fight Hub TV when asked if Spence can do better against Crawford in the rematch at 154. “I think it’s still a great fight at 154. A lot.”
Errol Spence Jr. exercised the rematch clause for a return bout with Terence Crawford and said afterward he’d like the fight at 154 pounds, but it remains to be seen what weight they meet at.
Contractually, the winner of the first fight picks the weight for the rematch. If… pic.twitter.com/KubUGiCddD
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) September 13, 2023
