In the early hours of Sunday morning (UK time) we will have one Welterweight Champion of the World.
Whisper it gently, but believe it !
For the first time since November 1985, a mere 38 years ago, there will be no ‘if’s or but’s or false claims of who is the real champion. The winner of the big world title unification fight between American’s Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford will determine the king at 147 lbs (10st, 7lbs), beyond doubt.
For what is historically one of the original 8 weight classes in professional Queensberry rules boxing this has been a sad state of affairs. For too long this has been a source of annoyance and frustration for fans and media alike. However, let’s just rejoice in that moment rather than on how we’ve got there.
The much anticipated contest will bring together a combined record of 67 wins and no losses, with 52 of those wins by knockout. The individual breakdown is Spence 28-0, 22 KO’s and Crawford 39-0, 30 KO’s. Both are undoubted elite fighters and ranked respectively #4 and #3 by The Ring magazine in their mythical ‘pound-for-pound’ ratings. This basically recognises they are the third and fourth best fighters in the world, regardless of weight class (i.e. the best of the best).
So rare is this sort of meeting in modern boxing that it is billed as ‘Undefeated. Undisputed. Unprecedented’ and will be a multi-million dollar affair played out to a world audience. The billing may be open to challenge, but it certainly has been a long time.
The contest promises much, and more !
It has taken years to finally get to this stage, and admittedly been prolonged by the COVID pandemic, but largely down to a lack of will by all key movers in the business (promoters, TV networks) and indeed, the fighters themselves. After marinating for the required period we’re now here.
Spence has been champion and largely, but not exclusively, dominant at 147lbs, after graduating from the US team at the London 2012 Olympics. He didn’t medal but has been winning and unifying ‘world’ titles since turning professional. The Texan , now aged 33, is ready to take that final step.
Crawford, by contrast, has moved through the divisions winning ‘world’ titles. He won the 135lbs (9st, 9lbs) lightweight title and then the junior-welterweight (140lbs/10st) title to ultimately win his third world strap at 147lbs.
Their meeting has similarities with the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao ‘superfight’ of recent years in that the industry and fans were crying out for it years before it was finally made. In the case of that fight it ultimately happened too late. Saturday’s meeting is different in that both boxers are still regarded as being at their peak, albeit not in the first flush of youth. We shouldn’t see a similar outcome to Mayweather-Pacquiao.
The hyperbole for this weekend’s fight has lent more to the welterweight unifications of yesteryear between ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns in 1981, and Donald Curry v Milton McCrory in 1985. It has been that long !
The former was rightly titled ‘The Showdown’, and a 14 round classic won by Leonard. The latter was a two round blowout by ‘Lone Star Cobra’ Curry. Both promised to deliver the real welterweight champion and did so emphatically. We hope the same this time.
In an era where heavyweights and other champions avoid each other like the plague, it is refreshing that the two fighters have signed to deliver something monumental.
We expect a very close contest; fought at, and exhibiting the highest skill level, which has been honed over a number of years both fighting at the elite level. Crawford holds victories over former ‘world’ champions Amir Khan, Kell Brook and Ricky Burns among others, and Spence has beaten allcomers, including many top names. One of the common opponents is Shawn Porter whom Spence beat by split decision in September 2019. Crawford was similarly victorious in November 2021 by an impressive tenth round stoppage. They both also hold impressive wins over Britain’s Kell Brook.
Being both highly skilled southpaws, able to mix it and take shots, we expect an intriguing chess-like contest, certainly in the early rounds. We do though see Crawford as the better of the two using his adaptability and experience more and being ultimately victorious. Our prediction; not with clear confidence, is that Crawford will make his home city of Omaha, Nebraska proud to finally be the legitimate welterweight champion of the world. We go for a 10th round knock out victory for ‘Bud’ Crawford.
The whole event will be available worldwide via Showtime PPV (pay-per-view) and can be watched in the UK on TNT Sports box office over the Sky satellite system. Tune in, we don’t think you will be disappointed.
If nothing else it will say once and for all who the best welterweight in the world is. That is a price worth paying for !
The Undisputed 