Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr.: 'This is a legendary fight'
The countdown begins in earnest.
Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. met Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles for the first time after it was announced they will meet for the undisputed 147-pound championship on July 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
And the theme of the kickoff news conference was clear: It doesn’t get bigger than this for the participants and arguably boxing in general. Indeed, this fight could define both men when their careers are over.
“This is gonna prove not only who the best welterweight is, but who the best fighter in the world is,” Spence said.
The fighters have immense respect worldwide. Most outlets have them in the Top 5 or 6 pound-for-pound. (Crawford and Spence are Nos. 1 and 4 on the Boxing Junkie list.)
That’s why oddsmakers consider it essentially a 50-50 fight, although Crawford is a slight favorite.
However, Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) echoed what many believe: He has the better resume, meaning he has proven himself multiple times while Crawford hasn’t. Among his victims: Kell Brook, Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Yordenis Ugas.
Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) also defeated Brook and Porter but he did so after Spence did, although both of them injured Brook’s face. And Crawford has no other particularly notable victories.
“Terence hasn’t fought anybody,” Spence said. “Even Shawn Porter said he didn’t train like he should against you. Kell Brook was already broken. I broke Kell Brook’s other eye, that’s how he got broke.”
Crawford could counter by pointing out that Porter pushed Spence to his limits in 2019, losing a split decision in a Fight of the Year war. Crawford stopped Porter in 10 rounds.
The 35-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, is confident that the result of the fight on July 29 will remove any doubts about his ability.
“People after this fight are gonna say that Bud Crawford is special,” he said. “I can assure you that. He’ll give me my respect after the fight after I whoop that ass.”
Of course, Spence is equally certain that he’ll have his hand raised. And he doesn’t believe it will be a close fight.
“This is gonna be a one-sided ass whooping,” he said. “It’s gonna take a few rounds, because he’s a tough dude. But everyone gets broke, and we’re gonna break him down.”
One thing they agreed on: The fans definitely will emerge as winners.
“I can guarantee you this is gonna be an action-packed, old school type of fight,” Spence said. “If you’ve been craving those old fights, you have to tune into this one. This is a legendary fight.
“Belts aside, you talk about just these two fighters, this is the biggest fight in boxing, especially because of the action we bring.”
Said Crawford: “I can guarantee that everyone is gonna witness something special. Errol doesn’t like to back up. I’m the type of fighter where you push me and I push even harder. We both have big hearts and like to fight.
“It makes for a great action-packed fight. July 29 is gonna be a great night for boxing.”