Terrence Crawford blames Errol Spence Jr.’s team – and boxing in general – for the fact that the two men are not fighting this year.
Crawford & Spence, two of the best boxers around the globe, are ranked No. 3 and No. 4 respectively in The Ring’s pound-for-pound rankings. Spence is the WBC, WBA and IBF welterweight champions, while Crawford has the WBO title. Unification matches between these two are one of the most sought-after fights in boxing at the moment.
In the beginning of this year it seemed like . fans would finally be able to get their fight. But contract negotiations ultimately got in the way, and now, Crawford faces David Avanesyan on Dec. 10. Spence has an obligation to defend Keith Thurman’s title.
“Bud” blames the entire situation on the politics of boxing – and Spence’s team.
“It’s what it is – I’m moving ahead with my career,” Crawford said to Ariel Helwani during The MMA Hour .. “Me and Errol, if that fight happens, it will happen next year. I just don’t like the fact that a lot of people are blaming me for trying to make the fight. This is it. But my main focus is not on Errol right now. My main focus is on Daron Avanesyan. …
“I just blame the business of boxing. I don’t blame myself for [even] one portion of the fight not being made. … I felt like I agreed to everything that I needed to agree to. As an independent fighter, I feel that I have done all I can to make the fight happen. But there’s only so much I can do.”
Crawford left Top Rank promotions in 2021 after an up-and-down relationship with the company and CEO Bob Arum, even saying at the time that Top Rank was unable to secure the Spence fight, so he would go out on his own. Unfortunately, Crawford hasn’t faired any better in that department, as their planned fight fell through in the final stages of negotiation when Crawford reportedly asked for “transparency related to event expenses” as his contract did not guarantee him a purse.
Beyond that, everything else had seemingly been agreed upon, which is why Crawford feels like this isn’t on him.
“Internally I felt that the fight was over,” he stated. “I felt like it was going to be me vs. him, but as time passed, I knew there were other plans and other things standing in the way of us fighting at that particular date…
“I think he wanted the fight. I think he really wanted the fight. He still desires the fight. However, I am not sure what is going on with his team. The only thing I can do is speak for myself and my team.”
Crawford went on to say that he “100 percent” believes the fight would have already been made if Spence were also independent instead of signed to Premier Boxing Champions. He doesn’t blame the promotion for trying to put Spence in “the best position possible.”
Still, the superfight was so close to being made, and falling short was a letdown to all boxing fans. Crawford said that he can’t guarantee that the fight would ever happen.
“Hopefully [it will happen],” he said. “I can’t say if it’s true or false. If you asked me whether Terence Crawford wants to fight Errol Spencer, the only thing that I could answer is “Yes.” However, I cannot say whether a fight will take place or not. Anything can happen in today’s society.”
Crawford defends the WBO welterweight title against David Avanesyan on Dec. 10 in Omaha, Neb.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/11/21/23471743/terence-crawford-blames-business-of-boxing-for-ruining-errol-spence-fight?rand=96749
