Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford | Showtime PPV - July 29, 2023

[ironbeard]

I think that he is contemplating retirement. I doubt that he will actually hang them up just yet, with so much cash to be made, but just that contemplation could make him vulnerable going forward.

He talked about how long he has been boxing during the post fight press conference. He sounded like a man that feels that he has nothing left to prove: A man who is considering moving on. His mother had him fighting the whole neighborhood from about the time he could walk.

I would respect the hell out of him if he made a clean break right now, similar to what Ward did.

[DrDuke]

I think that he is contemplating retirement. I doubt that he will actually hang them up just yet, with so much cash to be made, but just that contemplation could make him vulnerable going forward.

He talked about how long he has been boxing during the post fight press conference. He sounded like a man that feels that he has nothing left to prove: A man who is considering moving on. His mother had him fighting the whole neighborhood from about the time he could walk.

I would respect the hell out of him if he made a clean break right now, similar to what Ward did.

He's the self-made man, who didn't have any privileges, but was able to become the 2-time undisputed champion in the 4-belt era, while the WW division has been very interesting recently.

So, on the one hand, he indeed has nothing to prove. On the other hand, he still can boost his greatness.

[Thomastearns]

Here’s how the experts see it:

THE RING

DOUG FISCHER: CRAWFORD TKO
“It’s one of the best matchups to be made in boxing and I’m glad we’re finally getting it. Despite their age and inactivity, the fight should deliver due to their styles. Spence is a busy, come-forward technician with heavy hands. Crawford is a versatile switch-hitting boxer-fighter with a mean streak and a frightening killer instinct. If the bout goes the full 12, it will be hard for Crawford, who usually starts slow and fights in spots, to earn a decision. Spence is not only the busier fighter, he’s the house favorite. And these guys are in Las Vegas. You all know how it is in boxing. Crawford knows this, so I expect him to really gun for the KO over the second half. I think he’ll find the right punch at the right time and force a stoppage sometime after Round 9. Crawford by late TKO.”

ANSON WAINWRIGHT: CRAWFORD MD
“I go back and forth on this one and change my mind multiple times a day, I don’t know anyone who is confident in their prediction in this fight. It’s the most anticipated fight in boxing for many years and is so evenly poised. Spence figures to have advantages in size and strength, while Crawford may be the more adaptable and creative with his offense. Both are too good not to have moments. However, I feel this may be a high-class chess match for a few rounds with both giving the other different looks. That will allow Crawford to download the necessary data and start to inch ahead, I think Spence comes back at him in the middle-rounds but Crawford will do the better work in the later rounds and edge home by 12-round decision, maybe majority decision.”

DIEGO MORILLA: CRAWFORD PTS
“Finally, a true, bonafide 50-50 fight in boxing that will resonate in history. And just as it has happened before in such cases, expecting an all-out war in the Hagler-Hearns mold is not a good idea. And we’ve seen unexciting performances from both of these fighters before, so I am counting on at least six rounds of a highly tactical game of chess, with the action starting to pick up as the pieces start being moved off the board and someone starts looking more seriously for the other’s mistakes. Spence has made a few. Crawford? Almost none. If it comes down to the guy who made the least mistakes throughout the fight, it will be Crawford, no doubt.”

MARTY MULCAHEY: SPENCE UD
“Up until Errol Spence’s clash with Yordenis Ugas I was firmly in the camp of people who favored Terence Crawford in this showdown. However, the physicality and way Spence worked through and outmaneuvered Ugas’ changed my thought process. While it will not be easy, since both men are expert at negating foes best traits, I don’t see Crawford mounting enough consistent offense for the judges to reward him in the close rounds either. The forward momentum should be Spence, and even if he walks into some big counter shots by Crawford he has shown the chin to ride those out. The only negative I can find for Spence is his recent lack of ring activity, but again it did not seem to affect him in the Ugas fight. The fights goes the distance, and because both are undervalued defensively I could see this being a rather uneventful clash in the vein of Trinidad-De La Hoya. Final scorecards should read in the 116-112 range in favor of Spence.”

NORM FRAUENHEIM: CRAWFORD UD
“At his best, Crawford is The Sweetest Scientist in his era. His pound-for-pound run has been marked by a high-ring IQ, quicksilver-like versatility, precision and power. He calculates early, adjusts midway and finishes late. It’s a process, as deadly as it is dynamic. For Errol Spence, the task is to interrupt it just as it begins. Spence has the ability to force Crawford to scramble before he can calculate. He’s bigger, stronger. Spence’s fundamental skill set is imposing. It’ll have to be if he hopes to alter a proven process that allows Crawford to get into a rhythm and then attack weaknesses throughout the middle rounds. Don’t be surprised if an aggressive Spence lands some big punches early. Don’t be surprised by a knockdown. But don’t be surprised if Crawford survives the assault. Guess here: His proven smarts are durable. He’ll adjust in ways we’ve yet to see in a bout that will test both with challenges they’ve never encountered. In the end, Crawford figures to think through the adversity for a narrow victory on all three scorecards.”

BOXING INSIDERS

DUKE MCKENZIE (FORMER THREE-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER/TV ANALYST): SPENCE TKO 12
“The fight we’ve been waiting for is fast approaching. Spence versus Crawford is as good as it gets, the two best fighters’ pound-for-pound go head-to-head. While many experts pick Crawford to win with his switch-hitting style, I see Spence winning this exciting battle between two undefeated champions. While Crawford has moved through weight divisions to cement his legacy as a pound for pound great, Spence is a career welterweight and as the old saying goes a good big one beats a good little one. Crawford won’t be able to keep Spence at bay for 12-rounds. I feel Crawford will get off to a good start and may even be ahead after four or five rounds. Spence is an excellent body puncher and an excellent finisher. Spence will almost certainly dominate Crawford on the inside and his southpaw jab will work overtime. I believe we will see a different side to Spence, a rough-house fight is the order of the day! Spence wins this late 12th round TKO.”

SERGIO MORA (FORMER JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLEHOLDER/ COMMENTATOR): SPENCE PTS
“This is the type of fight where too much respect will be at hand and both will be careful not make mistakes. I slightly favor Spence because he’s naturally bigger, maybe stronger fighter, plus always coming forward! In a close fight the fighter pushing the fight usually gets more credit in close rounds. Spence by close decision.”

BRAD GOODMAN (MATCHMAKER/ TOP RANK): CRAWFORD PTS
“A fight I can’t wait for. This is what makes boxing great. When two of the best face each other and put it all on the line to see who really is the No. 1 welterweight. I know Crawford and his team have been wanting this fight for the longest and I’m sure Spence and his team have wanted it as well. Both guys have advantages over each other in certain categories and I think it comes down to who’s game plan works on this night because that’s how even up this fight is. It’s so hard to call. Does Spence’s build up an early lead and keep up that relentless pressure and try to eventually break Bud down or does Bud go out like he does in all his fights and figure out a way to start landing his counter shots once he starts closing the distance and start doing damage? It’s so damn hard to pick and that’s why it’s such a great fight. Both guys are such class acts, I’m happy they finally got their dream fight. I know how much this means to Terence as I’m speaking on a personal level now and I know how competitive he is as an individual. There is something special about him. He wanted this fight for years and was always confident in it. Crawford by decision.”

TOM GRAY (FORMER MANAGING EDITOR FOR THE RING): CRAWFORD UD
“I’ve always liked Crawford in this matchup, and to simplify it, I just believe he’s the better fighter. Spence is brilliant, don’t get me wrong, but Crawford is the one sprinkled with magic dust. He can do it all: box, fight, lead, counter, and switch. He can turn it on early or he can turn it on late. He can take you out with head shots or he can take you out with body shots. I don’t think you know how good Crawford is until you’re in there with him. Unfortunately for Spence, I don’t think natural size is the equalizer here. In fact, he may have overstayed his welcome at 147 pounds and that could come back to haunt him. I like “Bud” big in this fight.”

JOE ROTONDA (MATCHMAKER, MAIN EVENTS): CRAWFORD TKO
“This fight couldn’t be more complicated to pick a winner, both of these guys are so good in so many different areas. Spence is tremendous at measuring distance in the ring and not getting hit too much. Crawford has next-level killer instinct and an incredible fight IQ; he’s pulled off so many stoppages in the second half of fights due to his ability to figure guys out. Two guys with such contrasting styles, I think it simply comes down to who wants it more, and I believe Crawford has a chip on his shoulder and will win quite impressively via TKO late in the fight.”

KATHY DUVA (PROMOTER, MAIN EVENTS): CRAWFORD TKO
“While this fight is the type that is so competitive on paper as to be inherently unpredictable, if forced to choose, I will go with Crawford. I believe that, in the end, his experience and punching power will carry the day. I can’t base this on much more than a gut feeling, but I will go out on a limb and say that I would not be shocked if Crawford stops Spence in the championship rounds.”

MARC RAMSAY (TRAINER): SPENCE MD
“I was hoping so much that I was not asked my opinion on this fight but what a matchup. I mentioned it several times…before his car accident I considered Spence as the best pound-for-pound boxer and even if the last performances were good, you do not get out of an accident like that without leaving a little something. The two boxers can challenger each other in all departments… speed… ability…strength, technique. I see a very high-level fight and Spence cross the line narrowly before Crawford. Spence majority decision.”

CAMILLE ESTEPHAN (PROMOTER, EYE OF THE TIGER): CRAWFORD
“what an exciting fight for boxing! It will be a war and I see Crawford coming out on top. I don’t know if he will maintain his knockout streak but I see him winning for two major reasons. Firstly inactivity on the part of Spence will weigh against him as inactivity is a boxer’s worst enemy, secondly I think Crawford’s offence, speed, reach will give Spence quite a bit of trouble to solve.”

RAUL MARQUEZ (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/ COMMENTATOR): SPENCE TKO 10
“I’m very excited about this fight glad it’s finally happening. It better live up to all the hype. It’s a 50/50 fight. Two high level fighters. Spence is naturally the bigger man. He is a grinder gets better as the fight goes. Crawford has to box, box and box. Stay very disciplined. Crawford gives Spence some problems early on but in second half of the fight Spence breaks him. Referee jumps in and save’s Crawford from further damage in round 10.”

ALEX STEEDMAN (COMMENTATOR): CRAWFORD PTS
“Like many of the best fights in boxing (take note current heavyweights) this is a few years past it’s sell by date but it’s still a cracker. Stylistically it’s a great match up too. Spence brings intimidating, intelligent pressure while Crawford loves decoding then breaking down opponents. In a way, they’re made for each other and because of the styles, the ingredients for scoring controversy are there. Spence might capitalize on the Crawford slow start, remember that revealing interaction in Terence’s corner during the Porter fight so TC might have to start in a higher gear and earlier if he’s to win. The style of Spence will be easier to reward on the scorecards and might be the percentage call but Crawford is so good, so clever and on this night of nights I think he will produce the performance that his talents deserve. Crawford by decision.”

RUDY HERNANDEZ (TRAINER): CRAWFORD UD
“It’s about time they’re fighting, but as far as I’m concern, I don’t care to watch a fight that should’ve happened several years ago. Why. Because we’re getting an older version of what we could’ve had. Greed on both sides. I understand them wanting to get paid, but when fighting only once a year or two. And expect to be that fighter who demands millions and millions. Maybe I’m too old school and am greedy since I saw great fights in the past. I’m picking Crawford because I believe he has a little bit more of a bite in him as a person and a fighter. He’s also better at taking care of his body by being a professional. I really, really hope that it’s a great fight because boxing needs it. Crawford by unanimous decision in a close fight.”

ROBERT DIAZ (MATCHMAKER): SPENCE UD
“WOW! How exciting has 2023 become mainly because we finally witness this can’t miss classic. I respect and admire both these champions. Spence Jr. vs. Crawford is today’s Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns and just like Leonard vs. Hearns was so evenly matched, so is this. A true 50/50 undefeated vs. undefeated, champion vs. champion. They match up very well Spence a great inside fighter, Crawford who can switch stance and will look to use the ring more and stay outside. I believe if history repeats itself and this will be no different, while both have their moments in a back-and-forth battle, we will see like we saw in 1981 Leonard come from behind to beat Hearns, in 2023 Leonard is Spence Jr and Hearns is Crawford. Ladies and gentlemen, the winner and undisputed welterweight king from Dallas, Texas, Errol Spence Jr. by 12-round unanimous decision.”

JOHN SCULLY (TRAINER): CRAWFORD PTS
“I think it’s a high-level, very intense fight, and I’ve got Terence Crawford, being more versatile and trickier than Errol Spence and utilizing those advantages to win a solid 12-round decision.”

BOB SANTOS (MANAGER/ TRAINER): SPENCE
“Super, super tough fight. Realistically, it’s a pick ’em fight but I think in the end Spence physicality will lead him to a close decision win.”

RUSS ANBER (TRAINER/ CUTMAN): CRAWFORD
“I think I like Bud here. I can see Spence getting an early lead but if he doesn’t get Bud out of there I see Bud coming on down the stretch. Probably a points win in a highly competitive and exciting fight.”

WAYNE MCCULLOUGH (FORMER WORLD CHAMPION/ TRAINER): SPENCE PTS
“For me, Spence is the bigger man naturally having started his career in this division. Crawford who started his career as a lightweight winning a world title before moving up and winning a belt at junior welter and welter along the way has grown into this welterweight division. I think the rounds are going to be very close and hard to score. Crawford might start a little faster than Spence and pick up the early rounds with his speed using right jabs and quick right hooks. Spence I think will step it up a little after first four rounds using long southpaw right jabs to score well and start winning rounds. This fight might come down to the last few rounds with Spence slightly edging the final two to win on points 7-5 in rounds.”

Final Tally: Crawford 13-8

It's always interesting to read the prefight predictions afterwards.

No one saw the early shock knockdown but kudos to Doug Fischer and Kathy Duva for seeing into the future the best.

As for those who thought Spence would win being the bigger man, you could argue that the way Spence went down so easily suggests that he's done at 147.

Congrats to Crawford, this is his greatest win.

Easily.

[amwsnw]

After Wednesday night (Australian time) I thought Inoue sat on top of the P4P rankings. Bud just proved me wrong, there's no mistaking who is the king. What a performance. Clinical !!

[gilgamesh]

As much sh*t as I've given Crawford and Spence both for their lollygagging on getting this damn fight made. I will give major credit where it's due, and say this.

When I first saw Crawford. I thought to myself "This guy is gonna be P4P #1 one of these days"

Well...he's even better than I thought he'd be.

Until tonight Crawford has long been "In the conversation" for being P4P #1. Tonight. He's Number 1 with a bullet.

[RuudOEN84]

Broadcasting
Country/Region Broadcaster
Free Cable TV PPV Stream
United States (host) — Showtime
Australia — Main Event
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United Kingdom
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Fight Sports
*Spence Jr. vs Crawford coverage on FITE only available in Albania, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji islands, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, and Ukraine.

Its not on FITE, not in Finland

Where is that quote from?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errol_Spe ... e_Crawford

[Sweet Dick Willie]

Its not on FITE, not in Finland

Where is that quote from?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Errol_Spe ... e_Crawford

Shit, that was wrong

[Post 4 Post]

Possibly the best Welterweight win, post 2000!
Crawford showed the perfect blend of smarts, standing his ground & imposing his will.

[Bandog]

It's sad that one of my two favorite boxers has to lose, and my prediction was wrong. Major props to Crawford, wow. I've said for a long time the major weight cut will catch up with Spence, and it has. Even if you use that as an excuse though, which is wrong, he was beaten by a boxer that is better in just about every way. Hopefully Earl tries it out at 154 or 160, and if it doesn't go well, retire. He's had tough going in life for such a young guy.

My only regret is not seeing Bud beat the hell out of Danny Garcia, Thurman, and even Boots. Now all I can hope for is Bud to take on Canelo, and I think he beats Canelo also, but something tells me Canelo won't want that fight, Let's hope Bud fights Boots next, then Canelo. THEN he can retire as the true king of the sport, and the face of boxing. Congrats Bud!

[Tony1244]

Onetimeonly AKA Saadoffthedeck was right. Crawford is pretty great.

[Bandog]

Looks like we'll see Spence vs Craw 2, he's activating the rematch clause. If at 154 I'll watch, otherwise no one wants to at 147.

He can't do much worse, right?

[Bandog]

As much sh*t as I've given Crawford and Spence both for their lollygagging on getting this damn fight made. I will give major credit where it's due, and say this.

When I first saw Crawford. I thought to myself "This guy is gonna be P4P #1 one of these days"

Well...he's even better than I thought he'd be.

Until tonight Crawford has long been "In the conversation" for being P4P #1. Tonight. He's Number 1 with a bullet.

I didn't. Him vs Gamboa was 1st time I saw Bud. I thought Bud was going to be another Amir Khan.

[joshj909]

It's crazy how bad Crawford made Spence look. Not saying he is bad, just Crawford was an another level. I underestimated him.

[gilgamesh]

As much sh*t as I've given Crawford and Spence both for their lollygagging on getting this damn fight made. I will give major credit where it's due, and say this.

When I first saw Crawford. I thought to myself "This guy is gonna be P4P #1 one of these days"

Well...he's even better than I thought he'd be.

Until tonight Crawford has long been "In the conversation" for being P4P #1. Tonight. He's Number 1 with a bullet.

I didn't. Him vs Gamboa was 1st time I saw Bud. I thought Bud was going to be another Amir Khan.

First time I saw him was against Breidis Prescott, and that fight was boring as sh*t, but Crawford so clinical in his execution that I thought. "This boring motherf*cker is gonna be P4P #1 someday"

I was right that he got P4P #1, but he got a lot less boring in his performances.

[NateJR]

I picked Crawford to win, I felt he had more tricks in his bag and he was the more complete fighter. I never expected Crawford to to demolish Spence like that though.

A few things I noticed, Spence didn't look right from the get go. He looked puffy around the eyes and his eyes were glazed over during his ring walk (almost like his body didn't retain the fluids like it was supposed to after the weigh in). It was very strange, there just seemed to be something off with Spence. No excuses, just a observation.

I'll also note how Spence looked bloated during the weigh in. Spence is normally shredded and didn't show the same physic he normally does, especially for a fight of this magnitude.

Spence normally has one of the best jabs in the business, his jab had no snap to it. Spence is also normally a great combination puncher and mixes up his punches well. He was basically falling over himself and out of position every time he tried to unload. He just seemed way off balanced and had no timing.

Maybe Crawford was just that superior and made Spence look that way. Or maybe cutting that much finally caught up with Spence and his rehydration didn't go smoothly.

Like I said, not making excuses. Crawford deserves his flowers. I'm just not completely convinced that Spence was 100% based on my own observations.

Just a hunch, but if Spence can get a rematch at 154 and mentally get over that drubbing Crawford gave him, I could see the fight going differently. I don't believe Spence ever beats Crawford now, but I feel it would be a much more competitive fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

The first round Spence established his jab and it wasn’t a bad jab at all.

Once Bud landed his jabs, Spence’s became redundant tbh.

[goose 5]

One fight in the previous 2 and a half years sure didn't help Spence at all; I bet Bud to win and would have done so 4 or 5 years ago but that wasn't the same Spence last night.

[IKSRTFO]

I heard some rumours about Haymon, Mayweather and Ellerbe that can't be discussed on this forum.

Of course it can be discussed on this forum. No one here knows who you are.

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

- A bit meh on this fight that should've properly happened 3 years ago.

Spence with one fight since in his comeback from what should've been his fatal car wreck was off balance and out of sorts vs the dreary ancient Cubano Ugas. He did manage to fight his way into the fight with a TKO, but the fight was a farce with the always regrettable Laurence Cole as referee, perhaps the worst current ref in boxing.

Meanwhile, Crawford's trainer BoMac has blown up to 450lbs that mirrors Crawford's blown up ego. The guy needed blatant lowblows to deal with a past it Khan, something he'll get penalized for vs Spence. While not as big as Manny vs Floydy, this fight has the potential for as much stink as a fight delayed too often has.

The Vampire Haymon in his underground infrared Vegas Bunker has more sway with officiating than 90 year old fossil Arum, and very likely this to go to decision. We all know how Vegas likes to butcher their decisions as they did with Manny/Floydy where they had to correct the official scorecard to illegitimately legitimize the result...only in boxing, folks

Whatever, dude....do you even enjoy boxing.

- Whatever, dudessie,..do you even understand that Errol had only a single fight in the past three years where he was recovering from a horrific drunken auto crash where he lost a lot of skin and a front row of teef that needed replacement.

Then his horrific showing vs Ugas who knocked him into the ropes for a KD that the inept Cole couldn't call, had Errol bouncing off the ropes into Ugas with Cole now stopping the action instead of letting Ugas tee off on a clearly off balance Spencer...did you miss that?

Did you miss that the lifetime of no tattooed Spence in the year leading up to Craw suddenly injects of quart of ink into his ailing body, so are you saying that is sound strategy to suddenly make him stronger?

Did you miss that the shots Craw landed were no more than defensive arm punches that KDed Spence who was never hurt, just as off balance just as he was vs Ugas against a better offensive fighter in Craw?

Hey, great, Craw beat an ailing paper champ. Novice Leon whooped The Greatest Ali pillar to post as an Olympic Gold Medalist and didn't earn a quarter of the accolades that Craw has received, so meh...

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

dupe

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Not surprising crawford won or stopped spence since he is better than spence at everything - but it was pretty impressive and surprising he dominated spence. I figured spence would have some success early - porter gave crawford more problems.

[margaret thatcher]

spence wasnt in crawford's 5 toughest fights

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

spence wasnt in crawford's 5 toughest fights

Blows my mind crawford is this good and he basically fought nobody worth a damn for 9 years

[apollo creed]

Errol was drained as fuk but yeah money was good for that sacrifice. Nothing to take away from TC. He's a complete fighter with stellar boxing skills and ring IQ/mindset. I'd like to see the rematch at 154 although I think this fight took a lot from Spence.

[Bandog]

As much sh*t as I've given Crawford and Spence both for their lollygagging on getting this damn fight made. I will give major credit where it's due, and say this.

When I first saw Crawford. I thought to myself "This guy is gonna be P4P #1 one of these days"

Well...he's even better than I thought he'd be.

Until tonight Crawford has long been "In the conversation" for being P4P #1. Tonight. He's Number 1 with a bullet.

I didn't. Him vs Gamboa was 1st time I saw Bud. I thought Bud was going to be another Amir Khan.

First time I saw him was against Breidis Prescott, and that fight was boring as sh*t, but Crawford so clinical in his execution that I thought. "This boring motherf*cker is gonna be P4P #1 someday"

I was right that he got P4P #1, but he got a lot less boring in his performances.

Well, you were right. I often wonder if the weight draining Bud did to get to 135 was a factor when Gamboa hurt him? He got better moving up, not draining.
Although I think Spence may never beat Bud, I do think the melting down was a reason he was lethargic, balance off, no power. He should be at 160 imo.