The boxing world shook this week with two incredible main-event bouts. Japanese star Naoya “The Monster” Inoue went up one weight class to take the belts from Stephen Fulton. Then this past weekend, Las Vegas hosted the most anticipated welterweight showdown since Floyd Mayweather faced Manny Pacquiao. Undefeated 3-belt unified welterweight titlist Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. was a heavy fan-favorite against undefeated WBO champion Terence “Bud” Crawford. In what most pundits felt was a 50-50 fight, Crawford turned into a personal coronation.
In a bloody ninth-round TKO, Crawford dominated Errol Spence in a stoppage victory, leaving him soul-searching for his next steps.
Is This Your King?
Terence “Bud” Crawford answered all the doubters he gathered over his career. Crawford rose from lightweight champion (135 lbs.) to undisputed light welterweight (140 lbs.) to WBO welterweight champion (147 lbs.). But, Crawford had a big fish to fry at 147, and his detractors let him know it, disparaging his resume and his championship reign.
In that same timeframe (2012-2023), Errol Spence became the king of the welterweight division. He damaged Floyd Mayweather in sparring. He was feared by the oft-injured champion Keith Thurman to the point where Thurman has essentially quit competitive boxing. Spence went to England and took the strap from IBF champion Kell Brook in devastating fashion. He unified titles in a tug-of-war bout with WBC champion Shawn Porter. He disfigured WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas and took his belt too. That left the fourth and final division belt, the WBO belt, for Spence to claim.
However, like Killmonger in Marvel’s “Black Panther,” Crawford took the crown in his “Is this your king?” moment. Just like that, strap season is over. All the championship belts are with Bud Crawford, and Errol Spence is left searching for answers.
Damaged Goods?
The tale of the tape was straightforward. Crawford’s reach advantage turned into a devastating jab that routinely snapped Spence’s head back. Crawford displayed a strong chin when Spence returned fire. Spence’s trainer, Coach of the Year winner Derrick James, offered meager corner advice between rounds. Spence tasted the mat for the first time in his career in the 2nd round and twice more in a demoralizing 7th round. The doctor stepped in several times between rounds to check on Spence, but the fight continued until referee Harvey Dock rescued Errol from the avalanche of Crawford blows.
After the bout, Spence’s face looked like he was in another car accident. Crawford looked like he could fight again next weekend. Spence is 33 years old, two years younger than Crawford. Why was Errol Spence’s head movement so slow? Why did he look so weight-drained after comfortably making 147 for ten years? Was it the long layoff between fights? He has never taken such punishment before. How will his medicals look? These questions must be answered to determine if Spence is damaged goods and should pursue a different career or if he should gingerly plan the next steps.
Next Steps
Errol Spence is beloved by his native Dallas and millions of fans worldwide. He has been a champion for a long time and has overpowered each of his opponents until he met Bud. Many of the greatest boxers in history have returned from losses to continue their storied careers. Errol Spence has an opportunity to do the same.
Run It Back
One option is the rematch clause in his Crawford contract. He has 30 days to initiate a rematch with Crawford that must take place before the end of 2023. Assuming it was a layoff issue and given the experience in his stable, Spence could go back to the drawing board and devise a plan to offset Crawford’s power. T’Challa did rematch Killmonger and won.
New Weight
Another option is to move up in weight class. Spence’s stablemate Jermell Charlo owns all four belts at super welterweight (154 lbs.). However, Charlo is scheduled to tangle with 168 lb undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez in September. Spence could offer an end-of-the-year fight to Brian Mendoza, the interim WBC super welterweight champion. Depending on what happens with Canelo, Charlo could drop some belts, allowing Spence to begin a super welterweight reign. Mendoza would accept the opportunity to stay busy, have a name opponent on his resume, and get a huge money offer. If Spence still feels weight drained at 154, a move to 160 and a fight with interim WBC World Middleweight Champion Carlos Adames makes sense.
Old Nemesis
Spence could consider dusting off a proposed Keith Thurman fight at 154, but that could be a lateral career move. The only fighter in the last year to express interest in fighting the inactive Thurman has been female middleweight titlist (and future Hall-of-Famer) Claressa Shields.
I’ll fight Thurman ?️ ?️ at 154 so serious: all the respect in the world to him too. I just think I can outbox him ??♀️ https://t.co/7yN86ylFTm
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) July 29, 2023
All options, of course, depend on how Spence feels over the next few weeks. Most consider the rematch to be the most perilous option, but it is the best money option as Spence still has devoted fans who would love to see him take another crack at undisputed. One fight does not make a career, and how Spence responds will define him more than Bud Crawford ever will.
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