Errol Spence Jr vs. Terence Crawford is a done deal, the two welterweight champions will meet for the undisputed 147-lb championship live on Showtime PPV on July 29th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
It’s believed that the Spence & Crawford may have been motivated to finally negotiate their long-awaited after witnessing the huge success of last month’s mega-fight on Showtime pay-per-view between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia, two fighters considerably younger than the Spence & Crawford, but making more money than them.
WBO champion Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) and IBF, WBA & WBC 147-lb champ Spence are in the tail-end of their primes, with no place to go in the division. This is the only money fight for both of them at welterweight, and younger fighters like Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis are coming for them.
WHAT TIME IS THE ERROL SPENCE VS. TERENCE CRAWFORD FIGHT?
- Date: Saturday, July 29
- Start time: 8 pm ET
- In the U.S. Showtime and PPV.com will carry the fight for $84,99
- The fight takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 pm ET
Spence-Crawford is arguably years too late because it would have created more interest back in 2018-2019 when both guys were younger and still actively fighting regularly.
The 36-year-old Crawford has been fighting only once a year for the last three years. For his part, Spence has fought just twice in the past three years.
If these guys were more ambitious, they could have been a lot busier than they’ve been and a lot more wealthier. For example, Crawford’s net worth is estimated at $10 million.
In contrast, Ryan Garcia, who has never won a world title but is busy with his career, has a net worth of $20 million, and he’s only been a pro for seven years.
“I don’t know. Apparently, it’s been done before, and it’s not been announced,” said Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn to iFL TV, reacting to the news of the Errol Spence Jr vs. Terence Crawford fight being made official for July 29th on Showtime PPV.
“I’ve heard for many months that it’s going to get made, so fantastic if it is. Coming off the back of Tank-Ryan Garcia and all the other fights that have been put together, I think boxing is in great place. Finally, we’re getting that fight.
“They are in their prime, I think, and it’s a great fight for boxing. If I tell you, ‘Deal agreed’ and ‘contract is signed, it’s signed.’ There’s a difference between, ‘We’re up for the fight. We agreed to the terms. Send the long-form contract,’ and then it breaks down.
“I think both guys have nowhere to go. Crawford and Spence have nowhere to go other than to fight each other, and I think that this is the right time,” said Hearn.
Here is what Crawford had to say Wednesday prior to an extensive workout, along with comments from his trainer Brian “Bo Mac” McIntyre:
TERENCE CRAWFORD
“This fight means everything. This puts the cherry on top of my career. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and I can’t wait to get it on.
“We’re here in Las Vegas early to get used to the atmosphere and the heat. Come fight night, we’re gonna be 110% prepared. We’re adjusting well.
“The welterweight division has had a lot of great fights in the past and this will be another one next Saturday. There’s a bright future for the division as well with a lot of great talent coming up. It’s still a hotbed for the sport.
“I’m just here to win the fight. We’re both prizefighters and I don’t worry about any plans he’s making for after this fight. I don’t think about a knockout, I just think about getting the victory and that’s what I’m gonna do next Saturday.
“I think I could beat anybody at any sport. That’s just my nature. I play to win. If I’m gonna challenge you, I’m coming to win and I believe that wholeheartedly. That could be anybody. Even if I’m playing Michael Jordan in one-on-one.
“He thinks he’s gonna bulldoze me and break me, but he’s gonna have to show me. All of that talk is fuel to the fire that’s already burning. He’s gonna have to prove everything that he’s saying come fight night.
“This fight is happening at the right time. All the belts are on the line, so there’s even more to fight for. What better way to have this fight than to have it for the undisputed welterweight title?”
BRIAN “BO MAC” MCINTYRE, Crawford’s Trainer
“This is the fight to shut the haters and non-believers up. It’s the icing on the cake for one hell of a career.
“You have to be dialed-in when you’re going up against a fighter like Errol Spence Jr., with a trainer like Derrick James. We want to keep the outcome in our hands by putting on a dominant performance.
“It’s not just another day at the office, but this is something that we live, eat, sleep, think. That’s how we got to this point. We know what it takes and we’re right back at it.
“This is one of the best fights to be made this century, with both guys being undefeated and with everything Terence accomplished. It means a lot and I’m expecting a lot of fireworks.
“Don’t miss this pay-per-view. As long as Errol Spence Jr. brings his ‘A-game’, you’re gonna see one of the best performances ever out of Terence Crawford. I pray that we get the best Errol Spence Jr., because there’s a better Terence Crawford to be seen.”
ERROL SPENCE JR.
“This is what I’ve worked for my whole career. I want to be that undisputed welterweight champion of the world and I’m excited to go up against a great opponent like Terence Crawford to accomplish that.
“I’ve been fighting the best for a long time. When you see all the legends of the sport, they fought each other and made historic fights. That’s what I want to do. Terence is one of the best fighters in the world and I’m one of the best fighters in the world, so we had to make this happen.
“It’s definitely business as usual, but we’ve still amped up the training because of the opponent I’m facing. Terence can really fight and I believe that we’re gonna put on a great show and a great performance.
“I’m not worried about being the underdog. People can say what they say and have their opinions. I just have to go prove them wrong.
“I’ve been feeling the buzz for this fight. Anywhere I go they’ve been asking me about this fight. I knew I had to make it happen. This is what everyone wanted. We have to prove who the man is in the welterweight division and in boxing. The winner of this fight is the best fighter in boxing period.
“Every belt I’ve gotten I’ve taken from somebody. I beat champion after champion. I’m going through the ringer fighting the best guys in my division. There’s a big difference between facing a champion and someone without a belt. The guys with the belts have a lot more to fight for.
“I don’t know how much the size will factor into the fight until we get into the ring. They say he’s a strong guy and we’ll see next week.
“Everybody make sure you tune into this fight. It’s gonna be an amazing fight. This fight is gonna be a war of attrition. It’s a guts and glory type of fight.
“I don’t think there’s anyone I fought who’s similar to Terence Crawford. His style is different from anybody else. I don’t think Sugar Ray Leonard fought anyone like Tommy Hearns until he fought Tommy, and vice versa. That’s what happens in these historic fights.”
DERRICK JAMES, Spence’s Trainer
“This means everything. From the moment Errol turned pro, he said what he wanted to do. There were so many steps he had to take to get to this point, and now there’s just one more step to take. Being undisputed champion is everything he wanted.
“Our goal is to be able to push like we push in every fight. We’re going to use everything we’ve used to be successful throughout Errol’s career. It’s up to Terence if he can step to that.
“We’ve been training and sparring a lot since Errol last fought, so it’s not like he hasn’t been in the ring. He’ll just have to adjust to Terence’s timing in the fight. It might take a couple of rounds, but once he figures it out, he can do everything he has to do.
“I’m my greatest competition. I’m not worried about who’s in the other corner. It could be anybody. My focus on being who I am every day leading up to the fight and continuing to compete with myself.
“The perfect performance is a victory. I don’t care how he gets it, it’s just that he gets it. That’s what we’re working for.”
ESPENCE VS. CRAWFORD CARD
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Errol Spence Jr 147 vs. Terence Crawford 146.75
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz 134.5 vs. Giovanni Cabrera 134.25
Nonito Donaire 117.25 vs. Alexandro Santiago 117.5
Yoenis Tellez 155.5 vs. Sergio García 155.5
Steven Nelson 167.75 vs. Rowdy Legend 166.75
José Salas Reyes 121.5 vs. Aston Palicte 123.5
