DETAILS
On July 29, the highly anticipated 12-round bout between Errol Spence Jnr, the number one ranked welterweight, and Terence Crawford, number two, will finally take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas after several years of posturing and false starts. Premier Boxing Champions will promote the fight, and Showtime PPV will broadcast it in the US. However, no UK broadcaster has been confirmed yet.
HOW BIG IS IT?
Many experts in the boxing industry believe that this showdown is the sport’s most-awaited event since Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao finally fought in 2015. While it’s unlikely to be as massive as that event, hardcore fans will undoubtedly be excited. Neither Crawford nor Spence has achieved the same level of notoriety as their famous predecessors and failed to capture the public’s attention. Nonetheless, the event is expected to draw considerable pay-per-view and box office revenue. It’s unlikely, however, that your average London cabbie would recognize either fighter before or after the event. In contrast, the noise and hype will be louder in the US than the UK.
Nevertheless, for boxing enthusiasts, this fight will feel like a party in the days leading up to the event.
FORM
With a record of 39-0 (30), 7-0 (7) at welterweight, Crawford has been the more active of the two fighters in recent years. He has defeated Shawn Porter and Egidijus Kavaliauskas, among others, in the division. In contrast, Spence Jnr has had some out of the ring troubles, limiting his time in the ring. He has had three fights in four years. Nonetheless, neither fighter has a track record of building super-fights.
COMMON OPPONENTS
While Crawford also has the edge in this area, it’s important to remember that both Kell Brook and Shawn Porter were past their prime when they fought Terence. Spence impressively beat Brook, but by the time Brook lost to Crawford, he was no longer a significant force. Crawford followed that success by stopping Porter in the 12th round of their fight.
AGE & EXPERIENCE
While some may argue that Crawford and Spence Jnr are already past their prime at 35 and 33 years old, respectively, there’s no evidence that suggests this is the case. Unlike Mayweather and Pacquiao’s fight eight years ago, where both fighters had lost form, Crawford and Spence Jnr remain competitive. Crawford’s experience at world level is greater, having won belts at lightweight and super-light, but Spence Jnr is the bigger fighter and has beaten better quality opposition in the weight class.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
This fight is significant because it demonstrates that the sport is capable of making the fights fans want to see. It’s the most important fight after the heavyweight division because it will crown the world welterweight champion. All sanctioning body belts are up for grabs, but such terminology and expense are unnecessary, in our opinion.
However, this fight offers the perfect opportunity for promoters, boxers, and broadcasters to adopt a simpler, cheaper system that doesn’t rely on bogus belts to sell and doesn’t require fighters to pay to fight for them.
WILL IT ENTERTAIN?
It’s difficult to predict whether it will be an exhilarating match, but both fighters have a style that indicates it will be more thrilling than Mayweather-Pacquiao.
WHO WINS?
It’s too early to say, but at this stage, the odds slightly favour Crawford over Spence Jnr.
Although Crawford has been more active, more versatile, and has a mean streak that few in the sport have, Spence Jnr is his perfect dance partner, meaning this fight will be the can’t miss event of 2023.