Crawford's Opponents for 2021?

[Enlightened-One]

I strongly suspect we won't be seeing Terence Crawford facing Errol Spence Jr. anytime soon:

• September 15th - Shawn Porter informs the media about him being told by the head honchos at the PBC of him facing the winner of the Spence Jr-Garcia fight.

• October 21st - Keith Thurman advises the media of his plans to face Errol Spence Jr. during 2021 (probably towards the end of the year, assuming Porter's claims are true).

These fights make sense and are really easy to make, because Thurman, Porter and Spence Jr. are all Al Haymon/PBC stablemates.

On a separate note, Kell Brook wasn't included in the WBO's top fifteen rankings at 147lbs during August, but the announcement of the Crawford fight has compelled them to elevate him ito fifth place in their end of September ratings.

So who will Crawford face after the Brook mismatch? Does Top Rank have any decent 147lb-ers in their stable?

Perhaps it'll be Patrick Teixeira, assuming he can somehow defy the betting odds by scoring the upset over the mandatory challenger for his 154lbs title, Brian Castano?

Thoughts?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Should just fight Kudratillo Abdukakhorov, since he's out of the Lipinets fight, which was an IBF 'interim' title fight.

Depends who else comes up on the WBO rankings.

Vergil Ortiz may be made mandatory..

We've seen TR and GBP work together in the past.. Doubt this happens though.

Could offer someone like Jessie Vargas, unless he has bad blood with TR.

David Avesnayan if he beats Kelly, wheneer that fight happens..

It's just the case of TR offering and reaching out.

[Enlightened-One]

Should just fight Kudratillo Abdukakhorov, since he's out of the Lipinets fight, which was an IBF 'interim' title fight.

Depends who else comes up on the WBO rankings.

Vergil Ortiz may be made mandatory..

We've seen TR and GBP work together in the past.. Doubt this happens though.

Could offer someone like Jessie Vargas, unless he has bad blood with TR.

David Avesnayan if he beats Kelly, wheneer that fight happens..

It's just the case of TR offering and reaching out.

Unfortunately for Crawford, Kudratillo Abdukakhorov and Vergil Ortiz aren't established welterweight names (i.e. they're fringe top-ten at best).

And one could argue David Avesnayan and Jessie Vargas aren't top-ten worthy either.

I like what you've done though, the guys you mentioned are realistic foes for Crawford. You provided a list of potential opponents I hadn't even considered.

It's just a shame that Crawford decided to place himself in a political situation whereby his time spent at welterweight is filled with mediocrity.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Hopefully josh taylor in the backend of 2021 assuming he wins a fight with ramirez

EO is right. Crawfords prime is spent fighting B level guys because he stayed with TR.

On the other hand, PBC guys are "free agents" so if Spence wanted the biggest fight out there with Crawford he could make it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

On the other hand, PBC guys are "free agents" so if Spence wanted the biggest fight out there with Crawford he could make it.

This is my biggest thing. These PBC boxers claim to be free agents. Promotion free, promote their own fights etc. They’re only actually managed/advised by PBC/Haymon.

But at the same time always say, ‘it’s down to the men in grey suits’.. or ‘I’ll discuss this with Al’.. as if he has the last say.

They say one thing but never actually back it up.

But also at the same time, Top Rank and PBC worked together recently in a huge event. So that proves they CAN work together.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Should just fight Kudratillo Abdukakhorov, since he's out of the Lipinets fight, which was an IBF 'interim' title fight.

Depends who else comes up on the WBO rankings.

Vergil Ortiz may be made mandatory..

We've seen TR and GBP work together in the past.. Doubt this happens though.

Could offer someone like Jessie Vargas, unless he has bad blood with TR.

David Avesnayan if he beats Kelly, wheneer that fight happens..

It's just the case of TR offering and reaching out.

Unfortunately for Crawford, Kudratillo Abdukakhorov and Vergil Ortiz aren't established welterweight names (i.e. they're fringe top-ten at best).

And one could argue David Avesnayan and Jessie Vargas aren't top-ten worthy either.

I like what you've done though, the guys you mentioned are realistic foes for Crawford. You provided a list of potential opponents I hadn't even considered.

It's just a shame that Crawford decided to place himself in a political situation whereby his time spent at welterweight is filled with mediocrity.

TBH EO.. if Crawford can’t get fights with Spence/Porter/Thurman/Pac next year, then bring on the likes of Quds, Vargas, Ava.

Pretty sure Ava and Quds are ranked top 10 with Ring/TBRB or even ESPN. And they’re still a ‘name opponent’.. maybe fighting Quds will be like Spence fighting Ocompo..

As long as Crawford is active, that’s a good thing. Then as fans, we can only hope we get the fights we want soon.

May and Pac were 38 and 36 years old respectively, when they fought.. they could have been early 30’s when it was first discussed around 2009..

[gilgamesh]

He's pissed away a lot of his prime years.

It's just about gotten to the point of now or never for him as far as getting meaningful fights.

If he ain't fighting the PBC guys next year or in 2022. He'll go down in history as one of the sports go to examples of wasted talent.

[gregregegg]

Honesty, if he can still make 140 and non of those guys go up, he might have to go down...

Or probably the best option for welter but hurts the ego he is going to have to offer spence, or manny or even thurman or porter crazy splits that cant be refused.... like if he offered spence 70-30 in spences favor, and spence felt good vs Danny, hard to imagine that fight wouldent happen. or 75-25 vs manny... or 55-45 vs thurman or porter.... not saying these are fair, but when you sign a deal that gets you payed well to fight bums but makes it hard to get real fights, crazy splits are the trade off...

Or If he were smart he would move up be WBO 154 mandatory, fight tex, win (he wins that) and find himself last piece in the puzzle for charlos undisputed, and with a chance at a true mega fight (but then i guess he stil has to deal with PBC..).

Or what will happen which is fight non top ten welters.

[gilgamesh]

Honesty, if he can still make 140 and non of those guys go up, he might have to go down...

Or probably the best option for welter but hurts the ego he is going to have to offer spence, or manny or even thurman or porter crazy splits that cant be refused.... like if he offered spence 70-30 in spences favor, and spence felt good vs Danny, hard to imagine that fight wouldent happen. or 75-25 vs manny... or 55-45 vs thurman or porter.... not saying these are fair, but when you sign a deal that gets you payed well to fight bums but makes it hard to get real fights, crazy splits are the trade off...

Or If he were smart he would move up be WBO 154 mandatory, fight tex, win (he wins that) and find himself last piece in the puzzle for charlos undisputed, and with a chance at a true mega fight (but then i guess he stil has to deal with PBC..).

Or what will happen which is fight non top ten welters.

Offer the Split to Manny. He beats Manny his starpower doubles overnight. All the other fights would be bigger if he somehow got Manny first, but I doubt Manny wants it. He knows better.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

On the other hand, PBC guys are "free agents" so if Spence wanted the biggest fight out there with Crawford he could make it.

This is my biggest thing. These PBC boxers claim to be free agents. Promotion free, promote their own fights etc. They’re only actually managed/advised by PBC/Haymon.

But at the same time always say, ‘it’s down to the men in grey suits’.. or ‘I’ll discuss this with Al’.. as if he has the last say.

They say one thing but never actually back it up.

But also at the same time, Top Rank and PBC worked together recently in a huge event. So that proves they CAN work together.

Of course.
If the fighters wanted it, it would happen

[siablo14]

On the other hand, PBC guys are "free agents" so if Spence wanted the biggest fight out there with Crawford he could make it.

This is my biggest thing. These PBC boxers claim to be free agents. Promotion free, promote their own fights etc. They’re only actually managed/advised by PBC/Haymon.

But at the same time always say, ‘it’s down to the men in grey suits’.. or ‘I’ll discuss this with Al’.. as if he has the last say.

They say one thing but never actually back it up.

But also at the same time, Top Rank and PBC worked together recently in a huge event. So that proves they CAN work together.

Of course.
If the fighters wanted it, it would happen

Spence still has the Thurman fight available after Danny. So Crawford will probably have to wait until that is done.
And we still don't know what Pacquiao is up to.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Of course spence has more options. The fact remains if he wanted to fight Crawford he could

He doesnt want to

[gregregegg]

Of course spence has more options. The fact remains if he wanted to fight Crawford he could

He doesnt want to

spence could make the fight next if he wanted to. Crawford could make the fight next if he wanted to. It just comes down to splits and concessions and what your risking..

[Enlightened-One]

Of course spence has more options. The fact remains if he wanted to fight Crawford he could

He doesnt want to

Are you suggesting that it’s Al Haymon’s responsibility and duty to orchestrate marquee bouts for Terence Crawford?

Should the PBC be obliged to ensure that Crawford always engages in big fights?

That’s the real issue here.

If Crawford was a huge name generating massive revenue, the PBC/Showtime/Fox would be motivated to work with Top Rank/ESPN and share the resulting profits, but Terence isn’t... so they aren’t.

They can make more (or the same amount of) money staging in-house events for Spence Jr. The PBC/Showime/Fox doesn't need Terence Crawford. They don't need to line the pockets of their promotional/network rivals.

Put it this way, are you more likely to receive a bigger slice of a medium-sized pie cut into four pieces… or a lightly bigger pie that has to be shared by six entities?

Surely that’s what it all boils down to?

Boxing is business. And there’s an obvious reason why boxers are known as “PRIZE fighters” rather than PRIDE fighters”.

And let’s be perfectly honest, if beating the likes of Spence Jr., Pacquiao, Thurman, Porter & Garcia were high on Terence Crawford’s list of priorities, he wouldn’t have extended his contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank a couple of years ago.

Instead he chose the pay cheque instead of legacy-defining bouts.

Therefore, why do some individuals seemingly insist on blaming Spence Jr. rather than Crawford? And that’s a serious question that I'd like you to answer, because people keep forgetting the historical events and decisions that caused this situation.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Therefore, why do some individuals seemingly insist on blaming Spence Jr. rather than Crawford? And that’s a serious question that I'd like you to answer, because people keep forgetting the historical events and decisions that caused this situation.

I think people blame them both.. But the reason Spence get's some blame, is because he always claims he is 'self-promoted'.. Whereas Crawfords issue is he's tied down to TR, through his own fault ofcourse..

[Enlightened-One]

Therefore, why do some individuals seemingly insist on blaming Spence Jr. rather than Crawford? And that’s a serious question that I'd like you to answer, because people keep forgetting the historical events and decisions that caused this situation.

I think people blame them both.. But the reason Spence get's some blame, is because he always claims he is 'self-promoted'.. Whereas Crawfords issue is he's tied down to TR, through his own fault ofcourse..

Eddie Hearn can’t cover events that would be televised by BT or ESPN, without involving DAZN and/or Sky.

Oscar De La Hoya can’t cover events that would be televised by BT or ESPN, without involving DAZN.

Fṛḁṅk Wḁṛṛḛn can’t cover events that would be televised by DAZN or Sky, without involving BT… and for US fights, Top Rank and ESPN.

Bob Arum can’t cover events that would be televised by DAZN, without involving ESPN.

Even if there isn’t a contractual relationship including an exclusivity clause between Spence Jr. and the PBC (and/or Fox/Showtime), they are still Errol’s business partners and (like his fellow stablemates) he’s unlikely to do anything against those networks and Al Haymon’s wishes.

We've already seen what happened to Lou DiBella.

He was blacklisted from the PBC, Showtime and Fox, because he tried to negotiate a multi-fight deal for Deontay Wilder (a promotional free agent) to make the jump to DAZN.

He essentially tried to weaken his business partners by trying to orchestrate a move for one of their most prized assets to make the jump to one of their biggest rivals, without their involvement.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Therefore, why do some individuals seemingly insist on blaming Spence Jr. rather than Crawford? And that’s a serious question that I'd like you to answer, because people keep forgetting the historical events and decisions that caused this situation.

I think people blame them both.. But the reason Spence get's some blame, is because he always claims he is 'self-promoted'.. Whereas Crawfords issue is he's tied down to TR, through his own fault ofcourse..

Eddie Hearn can’t cover events that would be televised by BT or ESPN, without involving DAZN and/or Sky.

Oscar De La Hoya can’t cover events that would be televised by BT or ESPN, without involving DAZN.

Fṛḁṅk Wḁṛṛḛn can’t cover events that would be televised by DAZN or Sky, without involving BT… and for US fights, Top Rank and ESPN.

Bob Arum can’t cover events that would be televised by DAZN, without involving ESPN.

Even if there isn’t a contractual relationship including an exclusivity clause between Spence Jr. and the PBC (and/or Fox/Showtime), they are still Errol’s business partners and (like his fellow stablemates) he’s unlikely to do anything against those networks and Al Haymon’s wishes.

We've already seen what happened to Lou DiBella.

He was blacklisted from the PBC, Showtime and Fox, because he tried to negotiate a multi-fight deal for Deontay Wilder (a promotional free agent) to make the jump to DAZN.

He essentially tried to weaken his business partners by trying to orchestrate a move for one of their most prized assets to make the jump to one of their biggest rivals, without their involvement.

So right now.. who is more ‘free’ to do what they want?

Crawford or Spence?

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Of course spence has more options. The fact remains if he wanted to fight Crawford he could

He doesnt want to

Are you suggesting that it’s Al Haymon’s responsibility and duty to orchestrate marquee bouts for Terence Crawford?

Should the PBC be obliged to ensure that Crawford always engages in big fights?

That’s the real issue here.

If Crawford was a huge name generating massive revenue, the PBC/Showtime/Fox would be motivated to work with Top Rank/ESPN and share the resulting profits, but Terence isn’t... so they aren’t.

They can make more (or the same amount of) money staging in-house events for Spence Jr. The PBC/Showime/Fox doesn't need Terence Crawford. They don't need to line the pockets of their promotional/network rivals.

Put it this way, are you more likely to receive a bigger slice of a medium-sized pie cut into four pieces… or a lightly bigger pie that has to be shared by six entities?

Surely that’s what it all boils down to?

Boxing is business. And there’s an obvious reason why boxers are known as “PRIZE fighters” rather than PRIDE fighters”.

And let’s be perfectly honest, if beating the likes of Spence Jr., Pacquiao, Thurman, Porter & Garcia were high on Terence Crawford’s list of priorities, he wouldn’t have extended his contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank a couple of years ago.

Instead he chose the pay cheque instead of legacy-defining bouts.

Therefore, why do some individuals seemingly insist on blaming Spence Jr. rather than Crawford? And that’s a serious question that I'd like you to answer, because people keep forgetting the historical events and decisions that caused this situation.

IF spence wanted to fight Crawford, could he?

[Enlightened-One]

I think people blame them both.. But the reason Spence get's some blame, is because he always claims he is 'self-promoted'.. Whereas Crawfords issue is he's tied down to TR, through his own fault ofcourse..

Eddie Hearn can’t cover events that would be televised by BT or ESPN, without involving DAZN and/or Sky.

Oscar De La Hoya can’t cover events that would be televised by BT or ESPN, without involving DAZN.

Fṛḁṅk Wḁṛṛḛn can’t cover events that would be televised by DAZN or Sky, without involving BT… and for US fights, Top Rank and ESPN.

Bob Arum can’t cover events that would be televised by DAZN, without involving ESPN.

Even if there isn’t a contractual relationship including an exclusivity clause between Spence Jr. and the PBC (and/or Fox/Showtime), they are still Errol’s business partners and (like his fellow stablemates) he’s unlikely to do anything against those networks and Al Haymon’s wishes.

We've already seen what happened to Lou DiBella.

He was blacklisted from the PBC, Showtime and Fox, because he tried to negotiate a multi-fight deal for Deontay Wilder (a promotional free agent) to make the jump to DAZN.

He essentially tried to weaken his business partners by trying to orchestrate a move for one of their most prized assets to make the jump to one of their biggest rivals, without their involvement.

So right now.. who is more ‘free’ to do what they want?

Crawford or Spence?

You’ve asked a loaded question, whereby you’re essentially asking me to assign the blame to Crawford or Spence Jr., in terms of the reason why this fight cannot currently happen.

Terence Crawford is solely responsible for this situation. He chose the paycheque over legacy-defining bouts.

And even though Spence Jr. is technically speaking a promotional free agent, it's clear he isn’t in control over his own destiny.

Ultimately, as per the Lewis-Tyson and Mayweather-Pacquiao super-fights, only the TV networks and boxing’s head honchos (Arum & Haymon) can make this bout.

Bob Arum insists on splitting the profits 50:50 for this fight, but commercially-speaking, Crawford is the B-side - Spence Jr. deserves the Lion's share. And that’s the main stumbling block.

And let’s not forget that Crawford’s viewership and PPV figures aren't significant enough to motivate a cross-promotional cross-network event being staged.

[Ruthless-RKO]

And let’s not forget that Crawford’s viewership and PPV figures aren't significant enough to motivate a cross-promotional cross-network event being staged.

Come on EO, compared to other boxing fights in the last 5 years, Crawfords numbers with HBO and ESPN have been high..

Whilst Spence does have better PPV numbers, you can put that on the opponents he's fought, Spence's Showtime figures have been abysmal.

I want to say that they're both to blame.. I'm not pointing fingers at one person.

Both are to blame, PBC and Top Rank are to blame.

FOX/Showtime/ESPN are to blame.

If any of them wanted the fight, they'd make it..

Then you have purse splits and concessions of course.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Id say Spence is more popular

Spence has more options

Crawford does t have many worthy opponents at top rank

But the fact remains IF Spence wanted to fight Crawford the fight would happen. PbC guys are their own boss

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

And let’s not forget that Crawford’s viewership and PPV figures aren't significant enough to motivate a cross-promotional cross-network event being staged.

Come on EO, compared to other boxing fights in the last 5 years, Crawfords numbers with HBO and ESPN have been high..

Whilst Spence does have better PPV numbers, you can put that on the opponents he's fought, Spence's Showtime figures have been abysmal.

I want to say that they're both to blame.. I'm not pointing fingers at one person.

Both are to blame, PBC and Top Rank are to blame.

FOX/Showtime/ESPN are to blame.

If any of them wanted the fight, they'd make it..

Then you have purse splits and concessions of course.

Your asking him a loaded question...aka a question he wont answer because it makes him look bad

[Enlightened-One]

And let’s not forget that Crawford’s viewership and PPV figures aren't significant enough to motivate a cross-promotional cross-network event being staged.

Come on EO, compared to other boxing fights in the last 5 years, Crawfords numbers with HBO and ESPN have been high..

Whilst Spence does have better PPV numbers, you can put that on the opponents he's fought, Spence's Showtime figures have been abysmal.

I want to say that they're both to blame.. I'm not pointing fingers at one person.

Both are to blame, PBC and Top Rank are to blame.

FOX/Showtime/ESPN are to blame.

If any of them wanted the fight, they'd make it..

Then you have purse splits and concessions of course.

Your asking him a loaded question...aka a question he wont answer because it makes him look bad

I already answered his question.

Do you see what I just did there? I made you look bad!

Thanks for giving me another opportunity to do that - it’s sincerely appreciated.

[Ruthless-RKO]

And let’s not forget that Crawford’s viewership and PPV figures aren't significant enough to motivate a cross-promotional cross-network event being staged.

Come on EO, compared to other boxing fights in the last 5 years, Crawfords numbers with HBO and ESPN have been high..

Whilst Spence does have better PPV numbers, you can put that on the opponents he's fought, Spence's Showtime figures have been abysmal.

I want to say that they're both to blame.. I'm not pointing fingers at one person.

Both are to blame, PBC and Top Rank are to blame.

FOX/Showtime/ESPN are to blame.

If any of them wanted the fight, they'd make it..

Then you have purse splits and concessions of course.

Your asking him a loaded question...aka a question he wont answer because it makes him look bad

He's putting the blame solely on Crawford..

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Could spence walk into al haymons office (or zoom call him i guess because of covid) and say

"Al, I am my own boss. I want Crawford in 2021. Call the media and let them know we are putting a full court press on to make the fight. I Can make more fighting Crawford than anyone else and hes the only one standing in my way to be the best at 147. Since you are a manager and not promoter you have a legal fiduciary duty to do whats best for ME not whats best for PBC."