Undefeated boxing superstars and pound-for-pound greats Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. and Terence “Bud” Crawford previewed their showdown for the undisputed welterweight championship during a virtual press conference on Wednesday as the WBC, WBA and IBF champion Spence and WBO champion Crawford clash on Saturday, July 29 headlining a SHOWTIME PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.
The pay-per-view telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will see Spence and Crawford vie to become the first undisputed welterweight world champion in the four-belt era and likely emerge as the sport’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions, TBC Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.
Here is what the fighters had to say on Wednesday:
ERROL SPENCE JR.
“There’s no backing down for either one of us. Me and Terence put together is just a recipe for a great fight. We both come to win and now we have everything on the line. I know we’re gonna put on a great performance.
“I came out here to Las Vegas three weeks early to train and acclimate. We’ve been 100% focused and training hard. We’re going over the game plan and making sure we’re on point and not leaving any stone unturned. This is a legacy fight and a fight people are gonna talk about for a long time.
“This fight does a lot for the sport of boxing. I hope a lot of the best fighters are ready to face each other. This is an old school fight with the two best fighters in the world. It’s rare that you get that. We’re two old school fighters who are going to go in there and give it their all.
“This fight boils down to grit, determination and focus. It’s about who’s body and mind can withstand the most punishment, but also make it through different highs and lows of the fight. Whoever can impose their style on their opponent will win the fight.
“There have been fighters way more gifted than Terence who have lost in boxing. They can say what they want about him, but I know my capabilities. I know my mindset when I step into the ring. I believe that I can beat any fighter.
“Everyone in Derrick James’ gym pushes each other. Even if it’s indirectly. We watch each other work and naturally you’re gonna try to work a little harder and make sure you’re really working, because another top fighter is watching you and trying to see how you work. We’re feeding off each other and Derrick does a great job giving us all our own time slot.
“The level of opposition you face definitely matters. I’ve fought guys at the top when they really had something to lose. But once we get in the ring, it’s really all about abilities. It’s about dictating the pace and implementing the game plan.
“I didn’t want to risk anything that would jeopardize this fight. I was willing to sacrifice to wait on Terence. Everyone knows the magnitude of this fight and what this means for our legacy. I put the ego to the side.”
TERENCE CRAWFORD
“This fight puts a stamp on everything that I’ve accomplished in this sport. People have tried to discredit me for this and that and have been calling for this fight. This solidifies everything. This is the fight that boxing needs.
“Training camp is going great and not much has changed. We’re firm believers in ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ So we’ve been steady.
“This fight boils down to who prepared the best and then on fight night, who’s on their A+ game. That’s what it comes down to.
“I’m not focusing on a potential rematch. I plan on winning the first match. The rematch is not in my mind. I’m focused on the job at hand right now.
“I’m not worried about any size difference. Look at Jeff Horn and Shawn Porter. Even Jose Benavidez Jr. was a big welterweight. This is nothing new. I was always the smaller guy, even when I was fighting at 140-pounds. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
“Everyone Errol faced had a loss and had something already taken from them. He faced guys who already knew how to lose. I take a fighters’ belt and their ‘0’. Those fighters are never the same after they face me.
“The objective is always to get the win first and foremost. But if you’ve followed our careers, you know that Errol and I are always in exciting fights. There’s no doubt in my mind that this fight will be more of the same.
“With the magnitude and the stage and just everything that’s surrounding this fight, yes I needed Errol. But legacy-wise, I had already accomplished a lot and was already a Hall of Famer. This win is the cherry on top for me.
“Errol and I got on the phone to get the biggest fight in boxing made. We both understood the assignment and had the same goals and dreams in mind. We came together to make sure we were both mature enough to get the fight made.”
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Tuesday from The Beverly Hills Hotel:
ERROL SPENCE JR.
“Everybody tune in and come out to the fight, because we’re gonna have a Craw-fish boil. And there’s gonna be enough for everybody. I promise you that.
“We had to get on the phone and talk about it, and now it’s finally happening. This is gonna prove not only who the best welterweight is, but who the best fighter in the world is. My mentality is to go all out and give everything. His mentality is the same.
“Terence hasn’t fought anybody. 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.
“Terence is a great fighter and I’m gonna break another great fighter’s will. Mentally and physically, I’m gonna dominate and come out on top.
“I don’t pay attention to the odds. Everything I’ve been through the last few years, I understand being the underdog. A lot of underdogs end up winning, that’s why it’s a bet.
“This is gonna be a one-sided ass whooping. It’s gonna take a few rounds, because he’s a tough dude. But everyone gets broke and we’re gonna break him down.
“I can guarantee you this is gonna be an action-packed, old school type of fight. 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. We’re both going for the victory.”
TERENCE CRAWFORD
“Y’all are going to witness greatness. We measure greatness by eras. July 29, I’m going to show everyone why this era is the Terence Crawford era.
“I’m so excited that we’re here today and that we got this fight done. I’m excited for the fans. I have a gift for each and every one of y’all, because I love the fans. Without the fans, there’s no us. I’m going to give you all a gift with the presence of the two of us on July 29.
“He calls himself the big fish. What happens when you take the fish out the water? You suffocate him.
“A win shows that I’m the greatest fighter of the era. No man has captured undisputed in two weight classes. That solidifies me as the greatest fighter of this era.
“I’m gonna gut him and feed him to everyone that eats fish in here. If he’s a big fish, we’re gonna have enough for everyone, with potatoes on the side. We don’t smoke over here, we go hunting for fish fillet.
“People after this fight are gonna say that Bud Crawford is special. I can assure you that. He’ll give me my respect after the fight after I whoop that ass.
“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.”
DERRICK JAMES, Spence’s Trainer
“This is something that’s been coming for a long time. There’s been a lot of talk and speculation. What it’s all about right now is July 29.
“It’s time to get busy. That’s all we care about. I’m ready to see Errol go out there and do what he needs to do. He did what he said he’d do and got those three belts, now it’s time to get one more.
“I believe that Errol will win the fight because of his technique and skill set. It’s not so much about gamesmanship. He doesn’t talk, he goes in there and gets busy. What you’ll see once again is Errol prove his dominance over another fighter.
“It’s not about knocking a guy out, it’s about breaking a fighter. It’s about taking away their desire to fight. That’s what you’ll see July 29.
“It’s all about the big fish right now. I like the Crawford team, we’re really co-workers because that’s the only way to make this happen. But on the night of the fight, it’s gonna be showtime for real.”
BRIAN “BO MAC” MCINTYRE, Crawford’s Trainer
“I’m so glad these fighters stayed the course and got this fight made. They’re going to show the world who the best fighter is. That really tells you about each fighter’s character.
“We’re gonna show you the best fighter in the world on July 29. It will be us. Don’t miss it. I promise you. I know Spence is coming and Derrick is gonna do a damn good job training him, but it doesn’t matter.
“Terence is the better fighter and the world knows that. If you just look how he goes about his business, there’s no playing around with him. He comes to get you out of there. Once he hurts you, that’s a wrap.
“Errol is a damn good fighter. He accomplished a lot in the game and I tip my hat to him and to Derrick. But the real fighters know who’s gonna win this fight.
“I promise you from the bottom of my heart, that we’re going to walk away victorious.”
