Updated:
Apr 7, 2023 10:25 pm
Stephen Espinoza, president of Showtime Sports, is confident an undisputed welterweight fight between Errol Spence and Terrence Crawford will be officially announced soon.
Spence and Crawford are widely considered two of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world. Crawford holds the WBO strap and is coming off an impressive knockout victory over David Avanesyan. Meanwhile, Spence last fought against Yordenis Ugas in April 2022, winning via stoppage and currently has the WBA (Super), IBF and WBC belts around his waist.
The pair were reportedly close to agreeing a date in late 2022, yet for various reasons the fight did not materialise. However, after months of failed negotiations, Espinoza believes the two superstars are likely to battle for all the belts this summer.
“We’re getting closer. There’s still some obstacles, a handful. But we’re making progress in their ongoing discussions every day so things are moving which is the most positive thing, Espinoza said in an interview with Fino Boxing.
“I mean that’s not what people want to hear but I also don’t want to say to people ‘Yeah, count on it and start booking your flights’. We were almost at that point last fall and it fell a point so I don’t want to promise anything I can’t deliver.
“Having said that, I am very optimistic. There are ongoing discussions going on. I’m not sure where the June 17th date comes from and it’s a little bit of a cart before the horse. You don’t want to set a date before your deal is done. Because, then, what if it takes longer than you thought then you sort of got to pull it back.
“I’m not saying it couldn’t be June 17th because it could if this gets done really quickly. But it is a short runway and I prefer to see it a little later in the summer. Most boxing fans aren’t going to argue if it’s June or July as long as they get the fight.”
Indeed, it’s now or never for Spence-Crawford as both fighters are in the latter stages of their careers. Errol Spence has just turned 33 years old, whereas, ‘Bud’ will be 36 in September. And both need to face each other to cement their legacy in the sport as there has never been an undisputed welterweight champion in the four-belt era.
Espinoza suggests Errol Spence vs Keith Thurman Is Still A Possibility
Nevertheless, if Errol Spence vs Terrence Crawford does not come to fruition, Espinoza has the perfect alternative in former unified welterweight champion, Keith Thurman.
Thurman, has not been active enough in the last few years and ended his three-year hiatus in February 2022 when he outpointed Mario Barrios over twelve rounds. Regardless, before ‘One Time’ shockingly lost to Manny Pacquiao via split decision, many considered him the king of the 147 lbs division.
“I wouldn’t even call it a plan b because in terms of great matchups, Spence-Thurman is every bit as good as Spence-Crawford. One has the added juice of being for the undisputed title and that’s history, that’s legacy, that’s an opportunity you don’t get very often. I think that’s why it’s probably a priority.
“I understand there might be a bit of disappointment because it’s not the undisputed. But in terms of the fight faction, in terms of the rivalry, in terms of how the fight plays out, that’s a great alternative if the undisputed fight doesn’t happen.”
Prior to the rebirth of Spence-Crawford talks, Errol Spence vs Keith Thurman was reportedly a done deal for June. But following news that Spence and Crawford spoke on the phone directly, it’s clear these world champions are serious about making the bout happen.
