The most anticipated fight in boxing is starting to shape up as Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. vs. Terence “Bud” Crawford is targeted for Nov. 19, per multiple reports. The two are looking to hold their welterweight showdown in Las Vegas, neutral ground for both fighters.
What is most significant about the potential bout is that the two are in their respective primes in a division that has winnowed down the best to the two top-tier competitors. Spence, Jr. holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF championship belts, while Crawford holds the WBO strap, making the fight undisputed in the 147-pound division.
We're living in a world where terms are agreed for Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua and Errol Spence vs Terence Crawford.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 15, 2022
According to reports, both fighters have agreed to all material terms of the deal. However, nothing has been signed yet, as lawyers for the respective parties are cleaning up the legal verbiage. The delay was not getting favorable terms for Crawford, a current promotional free agent that left his former promoter Top Rank.
Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford have agreed to all material terms for an undisputed welterweight title fight targeted for Nov. 19 in Las Vegas, sources tell @MikeCoppinger.
The deal has not been signed as the parties’ lawyers clean up legal language in the agreement. pic.twitter.com/oDhy9frLYk
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) September 15, 2022
FS1’s Rob Parker says the fight could save boxing and be “the best exhibition of elite pugilism the sport has seen in a while.” People are expecting a Sugar Ray Leonard-Tommy Hearns Classic.
Rumors surfaced that the trepidation on behalf of Al Haymon, boxing impresario and creator of the Premier Boxing Champions brand, was that Crawford is a formidable and accomplished opponent, but not a hot ticket draw. Additionally, since Spence has sold out supersized venues like AT&T Stadium in his native Dallas, Texas, and more, percentages for divvying up the revenue split were a point of contention for Crawford.
However, Crawford reportedly took the short end of a revenue split, with a bilateral rematch clause that guarantees whoever loses will have the right to run it back. Additionally, if the rematch clause is triggered, the winner will earn most of the return bout’s revenue. The fight will be a pay-per-view co-promotion between Spence’s Man Down Promotions and Crawford’s TBC Promotions via the Premier Boxing Champions platform.
Sometimes I gotta take a deep breath and remember who the fuck I am.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) September 11, 2022
Crawford released a series of cryptic texts that gave a glimpse into the negotiations.
“Sometimes I gotta take a deep breath and remember who the f**k I am,” Crawford tweeted.
“Change can be so difficult but necessary at times.”
Change can be so difficult but necessary at times.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) September 13, 2022
Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs), a three-division champion from Omaha, Nebraska, was already undisputed at light-welterweight before moving to welterweight and capturing a belt. Touted as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters of his generation, Crawford hasn’t been able to gain the same level of popularity outside of boxing diehards due to his low-key personality and former promoter’s reticence in promoting him.
“I’m free to do whatever I want,” said Crawford to ESPN. “There’s nothing standing in the way from us fighting. There’s no promotion company that’s blocking it, there’s no wrong side of the street, there’s no nothing. Let’s see who the best welterweight in the world is.”
The 32-year-old Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) has always been considered the young phenom that would dominate the welterweight division. However, speculation was high after an October 2019 car crash in his Lamborghini hospitalized him. Spence returned to defeat former champion Danny Garcia and then scored a 10th-round TKO of Yordenis Ugas in April to capture his third belt. Both fighters have a win over Shawn Porter, and the fight will finally answer the question of who the best welterweight of this generation is.
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