“Clash of Titans: Errol Spence Jr. Triumphs Against Terence Crawford in a Battle of Welterweight Greats”
In 2018, a confrontation between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford took place inside the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. This fight was significant for boxing fans all around the world. The two best welterweight fighters were set to face off that evening over five years ago, but for a variety of reasons, the fight never took place. Due to a number of factors, the fight was unable to take place, so supporters were forced to make do with verbal blows thrown outside the ring.
It is unusual for two outstanding fighters, like Spence and Crawford, who are both unbeaten, to be competing at the same weight class at the same time. Both are at the top of their game and are ranked first pound-for-pound. Politics in boxing, though, stood in the way. Promotional hurdles were challenging to clear for Crawford since Spence was affiliated with PBC while Crawford was with top rank.
Negotiations finally came to a halt in September of last year, but an attempt to reopen the lines of communication at the very last minute failed. It appeared like Spence would leave Crawford’s welterweight title fight in the dust by moving up to 154 pounds for a lucrative matchup with former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman. Thankfully, the warriors intervened on their own. The discussions were advanced by a lengthy phone chat in March, according to Crawford, and it was the most significant welterweight fight since Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in 2015.
During his media workout last week in Las Vegas, 33-year-old Spence remarked, “I knew I had to do this. Everybody want it. In the welterweight class and in boxing, we must establish the man’s identity. The victor of this match will be the greatest fighter overall, pound for pound. Period.” Although Mayweather and Pacquiao, whose records still stand, produced massive sums of money, Spence and Crawford, at 35, may be approaching the pinnacle of their athletic capabilities. In contrast to Mayweather and Pacquiao, who were both in their primes.
This Saturday in Las Vegas, they will enter the ring to defend their spotless records and contend for all of the major welterweight belts. The WBC, WBA, and IBF champion Spence will square off against the WBO champion Crawford in a fight for pound-for-pound dominance. ESPN ranks Spence as the fourth-best boxer overall, pound-for-pound, regardless of weight, whereas Crawford is ranked first. Crawford declared last week that “this fight is happening at the right time” during his media workout in Las Vegas. There is a lot more at stake now that all the belts are up for grabs. What better method to contest the uncontested welterweight championship?”
Spence-Crawford has travelled a long and winding road, but it has finally arrived. The war was ultimately won in this manner, and this is where it all ends.
