This week, further insight into the Spence vs. Crawford mega-fight was revealed during press conferences held in both Los Angeles and New York City. The contrasting personalities and distinctive attire of the two rivals were on full display, emphasizing their stark differences. The first day’s presser took place on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr., the Welterweight Unified Champion, entered the room confidently, donning a crisp white long-sleeve shirt with black accents across the shoulders – a design that ironically resembled “straps”. Errol’s favorite phrase is “Strap Season” so the outfit conveys the phrase perfectly. On the other hand, Terence “Bud” Crawford made a casual entrance in his blue polo shirt and jeans, appearing unapologetically self-assured by the prospect of meeting his long-time foe face to face.
Both Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford exuded confidence and comfort, each certain of their impending victory. In their speeches, they discussed their skills, determination, and ability to outwit and outbox their respective rivals. Importantly, this fight represents the first undisputed four-belt era clash at welterweight, and it’s a dream match-up that has both avid and casual boxing fans in agreement.
Two main reasons have propelled this mega-fight into existence. The first is the long-standing debate over who is the best welterweight boxer, a question that has persisted for several years. Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) has collected belts from the IBF, WBC, and WBA World Titles, all gained from winning against top-five welterweight contenders. On the other hand, multi-divisional champion Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) has held his 147-pound WBO World Title for many years, following his victory over Jeff Horn in 2018. Remarkably, this win made him a welterweight champion in his very first match in the weight class.
However, Crawford’s journey was somewhat hampered due to a restrictive contract with Top Rank, which limited his opportunities to face off against more well-known welterweight talents. Once Crawford dismissed the idea of renewing his contract with Bob Arum in 2022, anticipation for the super fight started to build.
This long-awaited match has put fans on edge, as they’ve been eagerly anticipating this bout for quite some time. It’s a fight that everyone wants to witness, offering the coveted prize of becoming the first-ever, undisputed champion of the four-belt era.
Last year, there were rumors that the fight would take place towards the end of the year. However, negotiations fell apart and Terence chose to fight an unexpected match against David Avanesyan in the welterweight category, broadcast on a relatively unknown new app called BLK Prime. This decision upset those involved with Team Spence’s contract negotiations. After Crawford’s victory on December 12, 2022, there was a noticeable silence between the two teams, leading fans to lose hope for the undisputed match that had all the competitive qualities desired in a pay-per-view boxing event.
However, negotiations resumed after the two welterweight superstars personally reached out to one another. Both champions were determined to make the fight happen, leading to an official announcement that the show would indeed go on. It was confirmed that the two would meet on July 29, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Showtime Boxing PPV is set to broadcast the fight.
This brings us to today’s press conference held in New York City’s Times Square. “The Truth,” in his black vest and black shorts casually stated, “I’m ready to show people that I’m one of the best welterweights of all time. Don’t miss this fight. Because I’m gonna show everyone why I’m breaking people.” He proudly stated that the three titles he currently holds were won by fighting true champions. He concluded by expressing hope that this would serve as proof to other boxers that there is a reward in taking risks and facing the toughest opponents.
“Bud”, maintaining his characteristic calm and composed demeanor, while rocking his blue and white polo t-shirt with blue jeans asserted, “Being undisputed is gonna mean everything to me. On July 29, you’re going to witness a Terence Crawford like never before. Errol may just bring out the best in me.” If Terence secures a victory, he will earn the distinction of being Undisputed in two weight classes in the four-belt era. Currently, he holds the title of the number one Pound-for-Pound fighter according to ESPN.com. This suggests that the victor of this contest will be hailed as the epitome of pound-for-pound greatness. Essentially, this match will definitely establish who is the unrivaled champion in the 147 division.
Expectations are sky-high as boxing enthusiasts prepare for the showdown of Crawford and Spence, each in peak form, this coming July. Both fighters will face the most formidable adversary they’ve ever encountered in the ring. Their contrasting personalities may be great, but their even-keel business savvy and ability to work together helped to solidify the fight’s deal points. Stephen Espinoza from Showtime Boxing has dubbed it the “perfect fight,” while fans are hailing it as the “perfect storm.” Don’t hesitate to secure your tickets for what’s being billed as the defining bout of the era, likened to iconic face-offs such as Sugar Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran and other Four King Bouts. Tickets are currently available via AXS. For further details, visit www.SHO.com/sports and www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, or follow the hashtag #SpenceCrawford and @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, and @TGBPromotions on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
