A Welterweight unification clash between Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford is at the top of the wish list of almost every boxing fan for 2021.
WBO champion, Crawford and unified WBC and IBF titlist, Spence Jr were embroiled in a social media war of words on Thursday, as the pair debated resumes and ramped up the appetite for a mouthwatering showdown.
Crawford made a fourth defence of his WBO crown, stopping Kell Brook in four rounds in Las Vegas in November, whilst Spence Jr returned from a horrific car crash to dominate Danny Garcia in December to retain his WBC and IBF titles, a bout his rival was in attendance for.
Both have expressed a desire to face WBA ‘Super’ champion, Manny Pacquiao, who is on course for a clash with Ryan Garcia later this year, potentially in an exhibition.
Spence is signed with Al Haymon and Premier Boxing Champions, whilst ‘Bud’ is aligned with Bob Arum and Top Rank, with the sides rarely doing business together.
Although, another glaring stumbling block appears to be on the financial details of any potential deal, with ‘The Truth’ previously stating he would be the A-side in negotiations.
“I’m the big dog and he got to take a backseat and take a 60-40 or 70-30 or whatever we give him,” Spence Jr told DAZN in December.
And they said it was me 🤷🏿♂️ I rest my case now, on to the next. That chapter is now close.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) December 20, 2020
When asked about the possibility of the pair meeting this year, Arum said he was doubtful whether Spence wanted the fight.
“I talked with Al Haymon and he’s amenable to the fight, the only one who seems like he’s holding back on it and maybe because he doesn’t feel he can win the fight is Errol Spence and that’s the truth,” the Hall of Fame promoter told The 3 Knockdown Rule.
“Errol Spence is the obstacle in making that fight not Al Haymon, not PBC, it’s Errol Spence.
“He throws out numbers and percentages. We’re very confident in the fight, we believe that Crawford will beat him, unfortunately Spence believes the same thing.
“The only issue is Spence doesn’t want to fight him. Don’t blame Al Haymon, don’t blame PBC, blame Spence, he doesn’t want to get beat by Crawford.”
The 31-year-old denied the claims, responding to a tweet with Arum’s quotes.
😂😂 lien ass bob strikes again https://t.co/ewbLsWbQ2L
— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) January 28, 2021
Three-weight world champion and former undisputed 140lbs champion, Crawford then appeared to imply his accomplishments were superior to that of Spence’s to which the Texan said the level of opposition would not be remembered.
“I been champion since March 1st 2014. 7 straight years is coming up, 3 different weight classes, If I was to retire right now the Hall of Fame would be the next accomplishment. Sorry can’t say the same for….,” Crawford posted on Twitter.
“All those accomplishments with names people won’t remember,” Spence posted on Twitter
I been champion since March 1st 2014. 7 straight years is coming up, 3 different weight classes, If I was to retire right now the Hall of Fame would be the next accomplishment. Sorry can’t say the same for….
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) January 28, 2021
All those accomplishments with names people won’t remember 😩😂….
— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) January 28, 2021
One name they gone remember is Errol Spence ducking Crawford that’s gone stay with you yo whole life time 😂😂😂✌🏿 you still good tho https://t.co/yvdtazW566
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) January 28, 2021
The war of words on social media continued with Crawford, 33, insisting the public would not forget if they didn’t clash.
“One name they gone remember is Errol Spence ducking Crawford that’s gone stay with you yo whole life time… you still good tho,” Crawford posted on Twitter.
There seems to be some needle between the pair, who are considered by consensus as two of the top, pound-for-pound stars currently, but significantly the time is now to pit these two future hall of famers together, whilst they’re both in their primes.
The business side of things will determine whether this takes place, with Crawford seemingly unwilling to accept a split favouring his compatriot, whilst the opposing networks will have to come together in a similar vein to how FOX and ESPN ran a co-broadcast to ensure that PBC’s Deontay Wilder and Top Rank’s Tyson Fury met in one of the most highly-anticipated world heavyweight title showdowns in years.
