Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Video: The final news conference before Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. meet in the ring Saturday got heated.
The Terence Crawford-Errol Spence Jr. promotion had been tame leading up to their pay-per-view fight for the undisputed 147-pound championship Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
That changed Thursday at the final news conference before the showdown, although most of the heat came from the trainers and those in the crowd. It got nasty.
You can check out the spirited exchanges in the video above.
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Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr.: 3 key victories for both men.
Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford have turned in many impressive performances in their decorated careers.
That’s one reason their pay-per-view fight for the undisputed 147-pound championship on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is so fascinating. They’re both accomplished champions bound for the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) has the better resume of the two, with victories over a series of high-profile opponents. However, Crawford (39-0, 30 KOS) is a three-division titleholder, meaning he has had to face a long list of legitimate contenders. He’s 16-0 in world title fights.
Which of their victories stand out most?
Here are three fights in the careers of both men that helped shape them into the champions they are today.
ERROL SPENCE
Mikey Garcia
Date: March 16, 2019
Result: UD 12
Background: I was convinced before the fact that Garcia was too small for Spence – the four-division titleholder had moved up in weight for the fight – but the fact is Garcia was unbeaten (39-0, 30 KOs) and one of the best all-around fighters in the world at the time he fought Spence. And Spence dominated him, winning an unthinkable shutout decision given Garcia’s ability. The most striking aspect of his victory was that he outboxed a superb boxer, which underscored his technical ability. Spence revealed an impressive side of himself that night.
Kell Brook
Date: May 27, 2017
Result: KO 11
Background: People might not fully appreciate the fact Spence went to the hometown of an elite fighter and stopped him in 11 rounds to win his first world title, putting him down twice in the process. Brook lost respect late in his career but at the time he met Spence he had lost only an ill-advised 160-pound fight against knockout artist Gennadiy Golovkin. Brook was an excellent fighter at that time. And Spence just handled him, building a lead on the scorecards before stopping him. He made a big statement with that victory, which lifted him to elite status.
Shawn Porter
Date: Sept. 2019
Result: UD 12
Background: Porter, an excellent all-around fighter, was at his best and as motivated as he could possibly be for that fight. He was primed. And Spence beat him by a split decision. It wasn’t easy. They engaged in many furious toe-to-toe exchanges, which is why it was the Fight of the Year. But Spence got the job done, punctuating his victory by putting Porter down in Round 11. Spence’s performance was similar to his fight with Mikey Garcia in that he beat Porter at his own game, outbrawling a brawler. He left no doubt about his toughness. The victory might’ve clinched Spence a spot in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
TERENCE CRAWFORD
Viktor Postol
Date: July 23, 2016
Result: UD 12
Background: People might forget the respect Postol had at the time he met Crawford in a 140-pound title-unification bout. The clever Ukrainian was undefeated (28-0, 12 KOs) and coming off a sensational 10th-round knockout of Lucas Matthysse, who was a hot fighter at the time. And Crawford simply dominated him, putting him down twice in the fifth round and winning a one-sided decision (118-107, 118-107 and 117-108). Postol is the last fighter to go the distance with Crawford, who would go on to become undisputed 140-pound champion before moving up to 147 in 2018.
Kell Brook
Date: Nov. 14, 2020
Result: KO 4
Background: Brook had been knocked out in back-to-back fights a few years earlier by the much bigger Golovkin and Spence and was nearing the end of his career. However, the talented Briton was a former titleholder – he won his belt by outpointing Porter in the Los Angeles area – and was only 34 years old. Still, he was overwhelmed by Crawford, who needed less than four full rounds to take him out. That was quicker work than the victories of both Triple-G and Spence. Crawford’s stoppage of Porter came immediately after this fight, giving him significant back-to-back victories that bolstered his resume.
Shawn Porter
Date: Nov. 20, 2021
Result: TKO 10
Background: Crawford had been criticized in some quarters for lacking a defining fight on his resume. This victory resolved that issue, at least to some degree. Porter had universal respect, particularly after pushing Spence to his limits in a split decision loss two fights earlier. And Crawford delivered a convincing performance, methodically breaking Porter down before stopping him in Round 10. Porter never fought again, leading many to believe he had a foot outside boxing when he fought Crawford. However, the bottom line is that Crawford took out a first-rate opponent. And it became a lot more difficult to throw shade at his accomplishments.
[lawrence-related id=38250,38247,38223,38219,38215,38127,37748]
Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr.: 3 key victories for both men.
Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford have turned in many impressive performances in their decorated careers.
That’s one reason their pay-per-view fight for the undisputed 147-pound championship on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is so fascinating. They’re both accomplished champions bound for the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) has the better resume of the two, with victories over a series of high-profile opponents. However, Crawford (39-0, 30 KOS) is a three-division titleholder, meaning he has had to face a long list of legitimate contenders. He’s 16-0 in world title fights.
Which of their victories stand out most?
Here are three fights in the careers of both men that helped shape them into the champions they are today.
ERROL SPENCE
Mikey Garcia
Date: March 16, 2019
Result: UD 12
Background: I was convinced before the fact that Garcia was too small for Spence – the four-division titleholder had moved up in weight for the fight – but the fact is Garcia was unbeaten (39-0, 30 KOs) and one of the best all-around fighters in the world at the time he fought Spence. And Spence dominated him, winning an unthinkable shutout decision given Garcia’s ability. The most striking aspect of his victory was that he outboxed a superb boxer, which underscored his technical ability. Spence revealed an impressive side of himself that night.
Kell Brook
Date: May 27, 2017
Result: KO 11
Background: People might not fully appreciate the fact Spence went to the hometown of an elite fighter and stopped him in 11 rounds to win his first world title, putting him down twice in the process. Brook lost respect late in his career but at the time he met Spence he had lost only an ill-advised 160-pound fight against knockout artist Gennadiy Golovkin. Brook was an excellent fighter at that time. And Spence just handled him, building a lead on the scorecards before stopping him. He made a big statement with that victory, which lifted him to elite status.
Shawn Porter
Date: Sept. 2019
Result: UD 12
Background: Porter, an excellent all-around fighter, was at his best and as motivated as he could possibly be for that fight. He was primed. And Spence beat him by a split decision. It wasn’t easy. They engaged in many furious toe-to-toe exchanges, which is why it was the Fight of the Year. But Spence got the job done, punctuating his victory by putting Porter down in Round 11. Spence’s performance was similar to his fight with Mikey Garcia in that he beat Porter at his own game, outbrawling a brawler. He left no doubt about his toughness. The victory might’ve clinched Spence a spot in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
TERENCE CRAWFORD
Viktor Postol
Date: July 23, 2016
Result: UD 12
Background: People might forget the respect Postol had at the time he met Crawford in a 140-pound title-unification bout. The clever Ukrainian was undefeated (28-0, 12 KOs) and coming off a sensational 10th-round knockout of Lucas Matthysse, who was a hot fighter at the time. And Crawford simply dominated him, putting him down twice in the fifth round and winning a one-sided decision (118-107, 118-107 and 117-108). Postol is the last fighter to go the distance with Crawford, who would go on to become undisputed 140-pound champion before moving up to 147 in 2018.
Kell Brook
Date: Nov. 14, 2020
Result: KO 4
Background: Brook had been knocked out in back-to-back fights a few years earlier by the much bigger Golovkin and Spence and was nearing the end of his career. However, the talented Briton was a former titleholder – he won his belt by outpointing Porter in the Los Angeles area – and was only 34 years old. Still, he was overwhelmed by Crawford, who needed less than four full rounds to take him out. That was quicker work than the victories of both Triple-G and Spence. Crawford’s stoppage of Porter came immediately after this fight, giving him significant back-to-back victories that bolstered his resume.
Shawn Porter
Date: Nov. 20, 2021
Result: TKO 10
Background: Crawford had been criticized in some quarters for lacking a defining fight on his resume. This victory resolved that issue, at least to some degree. Porter had universal respect, particularly after pushing Spence to his limits in a split decision loss two fights earlier. And Crawford delivered a convincing performance, methodically breaking Porter down before stopping him in Round 10. Porter never fought again, leading many to believe he had a foot outside boxing when he fought Crawford. However, the bottom line is that Crawford took out a first-rate opponent. And it became a lot more difficult to throw shade at his accomplishments.
[lawrence-related id=38250,38247,38223,38219,38215,38127,37748]
Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr.: date, time, how to watch, background.
Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. are poised to fight for the undisputed 147-pound championship on pay-per-view Saturday in Las Vegas.
[lawrence-related id=38247,38223,38219,38215,38127,37748]
Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr.: date, time, how to watch, background.
Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. are poised to fight for the undisputed 147-pound championship on pay-per-view Saturday in Las Vegas.
[lawrence-related id=38247,38223,38219,38215,38127,37748]
Terence Crawford needed his pay-per-view showdown with Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday in Las Vegas. to prove he’s great.
Terence Crawford desperately needed to fight Errol Spence Jr.
He’s not hurting financially, although the eight-figure windfall he’ll receive after their fight for the undisputed 147-pound championship Saturday – by far the biggest of his career – will be welcomed. And he’s already guaranteed a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame based on of his world titles in three divisions, place on pound-for-pound lists and general dominance.
No, he needed this matchup to prove something else: that he’s truly an all-time great fighter. That’s the case whether he acknowledges it or not.
“My name is already up there with the all-time greatest welterweight fighters,” he said Tuesday. “It’s just a matter of going out there on Saturday and putting the cherry on top and furthering my legacy.”
Really?
Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) has fought seven times at 147 pounds, defeating Jeff Horn, Jose Benavidez Jr., Amir Khan, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, Kell Brook, Shawn Porter and David Avanesyan.
That’s a solid run, particularly because Crawford scored a knockout each time out. However, it doesn’t stamp him as one of the best welterweights ever.
The closest thing he has to a defining victory at any weight is his 10th-round knockout of Shawn Porter at 147 in November 2021. However, even that victory arguably has an asterisk because Porter clearly had one foot out of boxing. He never fought again.
What other victories stand out? Brook? The Briton also was in decline. Crawford’s second greatest win might be his decision over capable, but limited Viktor Postol at 140, which doesn’t carry much weight.
That’s why the meeting on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is so important. Spence is ranked No. 4 on the Boxing Junkie and other pound-for-pound lists. He’s a special fighter. If Crawford, ranked No. 1, is able to defeat his rival – particularly if he does it convincingly – he’ll have his defining victory.
Only then could we even begin to compare him to the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather.
To be clear, the intent here is not to diminish Crawford’s accomplishments and place among the best in the business. I’ve had Crawford No. 1 pound-for-pound from around the time he stopped Jeff Horn to win his 147-pound title in 2018.
I never understood how Canelo Alvarez ended up No. 1 on most lists even though I respect his accomplishments. I always thought Crawford was better.
That was based on the eye test, which he repeatedly has passed with A+ grades. And while he hasn’t faced an opponent even approaching greatness – it’s possible that none are bound for the Hall of Fame – he’s 16-0 in world titles fight and 10-0 against former or current beltholders.
That means he has fought – and beaten – a long string of legitimate contenders, which was good enough to garner him universal respect as an one of the best all-around fighters currently active.
And get this: He’s riding a streak of 10 consecutive knockouts going into Saturday. And all of them came in world title fights, in which it’s supposed to be more difficult to get stoppages.
That’s the kind of stuff that has set him apart from almost all of his peers and lifted him to star status, a level precious few fighters reach. Make no mistake: As things stand now, Crawford is one of the most important figures in the sport.
He simply needed a next-level opponent to reach the next level of recognition.
Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier and George Foreman. Leonard had Thomas Hearns. Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis had Mike Tyson. Mayweather had Manny Pacquiao. Great fighters need great foils to take their place among the legends of the sport.
That’s where Crawford stands a few days before the biggest fight of his life, on the threshold of true greatness.
And it came in the nick of time. Crawford hasn’t showed signs of decline but he’s 35 years old, an age when most fighters have begun to slow down or even transition into their next phase of life.
Better late than never. Crawford finally has his big opportunity. Now all he has to do is win.
[lawrence-related id=38223,38219,38215,38181,38127,37748]
Terence Crawford needed his pay-per-view showdown with Errol Spence Jr. on Saturday in Las Vegas. to prove he’s great.
Terence Crawford desperately needed to fight Errol Spence Jr.
He’s not hurting financially, although the eight-figure windfall he’ll receive after their fight for the undisputed 147-pound championship Saturday – by far the biggest of his career – will be welcomed. And he’s already guaranteed a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame based on of his world titles in three divisions, place on pound-for-pound lists and general dominance.
No, he needed this matchup to prove something else: that he’s truly an all-time great fighter. That’s the case whether he acknowledges it or not.
“My name is already up there with the all-time greatest welterweight fighters,” he said Tuesday. “It’s just a matter of going out there on Saturday and putting the cherry on top and furthering my legacy.”
Really?
Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) has fought seven times at 147 pounds, defeating Jeff Horn, Jose Benavidez Jr., Amir Khan, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, Kell Brook, Shawn Porter and David Avanesyan.
That’s a solid run, particularly because Crawford scored a knockout each time out. However, it doesn’t stamp him as one of the best welterweights ever.
The closest thing he has to a defining victory at any weight is his 10th-round knockout of Shawn Porter at 147 in November 2021. However, even that victory arguably has an asterisk because Porter clearly had one foot out of boxing. He never fought again.
What other victories stand out? Brook? The Briton also was in decline. Crawford’s second greatest win might be his decision over capable, but limited Viktor Postol at 140, which doesn’t carry much weight.
That’s why the meeting on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is so important. Spence is ranked No. 4 on the Boxing Junkie and other pound-for-pound lists. He’s a special fighter. If Crawford, ranked No. 1, is able to defeat his rival – particularly if he does it convincingly – he’ll have his defining victory.
Only then could we even begin to compare him to the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather.
To be clear, the intent here is not to diminish Crawford’s accomplishments and place among the best in the business. I’ve had Crawford No. 1 pound-for-pound from around the time he stopped Jeff Horn to win his 147-pound title in 2018.
I never understood how Canelo Alvarez ended up No. 1 on most lists even though I respect his accomplishments. I always thought Crawford was better.
That was based on the eye test, which he repeatedly has passed with A+ grades. And while he hasn’t faced an opponent even approaching greatness – it’s possible that none are bound for the Hall of Fame – he’s 16-0 in world titles fight and 10-0 against former or current beltholders.
That means he has fought – and beaten – a long string of legitimate contenders, which was good enough to garner him universal respect as an one of the best all-around fighters currently active.
And get this: He’s riding a streak of 10 consecutive knockouts going into Saturday. And all of them came in world title fights, in which it’s supposed to be more difficult to get stoppages.
That’s the kind of stuff that has set him apart from almost all of his peers and lifted him to star status, a level precious few fighters reach. Make no mistake: As things stand now, Crawford is one of the most important figures in the sport.
He simply needed a next-level opponent to reach the next level of recognition.
Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier and George Foreman. Leonard had Thomas Hearns. Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis had Mike Tyson. Mayweather had Manny Pacquiao. Great fighters need great foils to take their place among the legends of the sport.
That’s where Crawford stands a few days before the biggest fight of his life, on the threshold of true greatness.
And it came in the nick of time. Crawford hasn’t showed signs of decline but he’s 35 years old, an age when most fighters have begun to slow down or even transition into their next phase of life.
Better late than never. Crawford finally has his big opportunity. Now all he has to do is win.
[lawrence-related id=38223,38219,38215,38181,38127,37748]
Photos: Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. on Tuesday made their grand arrivals for their fight Saturday in Las Vegas.
Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. on Tuesday made their for formal arrivals at the MGM Grand for their welterweight championship showdown Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
They stopped for interviews.
“It would be a dream come true to become the first welterweight undisputed champion of the world in the four-belt era,” Spence said. “I watched all the great fighters as a kid. Now, I get to have my moment.
“I want the bright lights and the glory. … He’s in his prime. I’m in my prime. We are the two best fighters in the welterweight division. The winner of the fight on Saturday night will be the best fighter in boxing.”
Said Crawford: “It’s going to be even sweeter to win the undisputed championship for the second time,” said Crawford, who previously was undisputed at 140-pounds. “That’s why we take the chances we take. That’s why we fight the way we fight. This is a fight that the world’s been craving.
“My name is already up there with the all-time greatest welterweight fighters. It’s just a matter of going out there on Saturday and putting the cherry on top and furthering my legacy.”
Here are images from the arrivals.
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Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr.: 15 numbers that provide some perspective going into the welterweight showdown on Saturday.
The pay-per-view showdown between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. for the undisputed welterweight championship Saturday in Las Vegas is fascinating on many levels.
You can start with the fact that Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) and Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) are two of the four best fighters in the world and go from there.
Here are 15 figures that might help illustrate how special this matchup is.
The ranking of Crawford and Spence, respectively, on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list. Rarely do fighters rated so highly meet in the ring. The fans will see the highest level of skill in this matchup.
Their combined record. That’s a lot of success over a lot of years for both men. And the fact it’s difficult to imagine either man losing – because it hasn’t happened – adds intrigue.
Their combined record in world title fights. Crawford, a three-division beltholder, is 16-0 with a major title is at stake. Spence, who has fought only at 147 pounds, is 7-0.
Their combined record against former or current world titleholders. Crawford is 10-0, Spence 7-0. Yes, both men have faced quality opposition for most of their careers.
The last time either man lost. Spence was outpointed by Andrey Zamkovoy in the third round of the London Olympics. I believe Crawford’s last loss came against Sadam Ali in the Trials for the 2008 Games.
Their combined number of knockouts. That’s a KO ratio of 78%, which is particularly high given the level of opposition both men have faced over the past decade. They both can crack.
Crawford’s knockout streak going into fight. The thing that makes the number remarkable? All of the stoppages have come in world title fights, in which it’s supposed to be more difficult to get KOs.
The last time anyone took Crawford the distance. Clever, experienced Viktor Postol lost a one-sided decision to him in a 140-pound title-unification bout that year in Las Vegas.
Common opponents. Spence KO’d Kell Brook in 11 rounds in 2017; Crawford did it in four in 2020. Spence narrowly outpointed Shawn Porter in 2019; Crawford stopped him in 10 in 2021.
Crawford’s lightest weight in pounds for a professional fight. He weighed in at that figure when he outpointed Ricky Burns to win his first major world title in 2014 in Scotland.
Spence’s lightest weight. He has weighed exactly 146¼ fives times in his professional career, including his 10th-round knockout of Yordenis Ugas in April of last year.
The number of months Spence has been out of the ring, which raises the possibility of ring rust. Crawford last fought in December, when he stopped David Avanesyan in six rounds.
Spence’s height advantage over Crawford in inches. Spence is 5-9½, Crawford 5-8.
Crawford’s reach advantage over Spence in inches. Crawford has a 74-inch reach, Spence 72.
Their average combined age. Crawford is 35, Spence 33. Neither man has showed signs of decline but it’s reasonable to wonder whether they’re past their physical peaks.
[lawrence-related id=38215,38181,38127,37748,37544]
Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr.: 15 numbers that provide some perspective going into the welterweight showdown on Saturday.
The pay-per-view showdown between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. for the undisputed welterweight championship Saturday in Las Vegas is fascinating on many levels.
You can start with the fact that Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) and Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) are two of the four best fighters in the world and go from there.
Here are 15 figures that might help illustrate how special this matchup is.
The ranking of Crawford and Spence, respectively, on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list. Rarely do fighters rated so highly meet in the ring. The fans will see the highest level of skill in this matchup.
Their combined record. That’s a lot of success over a lot of years for both men. And the fact it’s difficult to imagine either man losing – because it hasn’t happened – adds intrigue.
Their combined record in world title fights. Crawford, a three-division beltholder, is 16-0 with a major title is at stake. Spence, who has fought only at 147 pounds, is 7-0.
Their combined record against former or current world titleholders. Crawford is 10-0, Spence 7-0. Yes, both men have faced quality opposition for most of their careers.
The last time either man lost. Spence was outpointed by Andrey Zamkovoy in the third round of the London Olympics. I believe Crawford’s last loss came against Sadam Ali in the Trials for the 2008 Games.
Their combined number of knockouts. That’s a KO ratio of 78%, which is particularly high given the level of opposition both men have faced over the past decade. They both can crack.
Crawford’s knockout streak going into fight. The thing that makes the number remarkable? All of the stoppages have come in world title fights, in which it’s supposed to be more difficult to get KOs.
The last time anyone took Crawford the distance. Clever, experienced Viktor Postol lost a one-sided decision to him in a 140-pound title-unification bout that year in Las Vegas.
Common opponents. Spence KO’d Kell Brook in 11 rounds in 2017; Crawford did it in four in 2020. Spence narrowly outpointed Shawn Porter in 2019; Crawford stopped him in 10 in 2021.
Crawford’s lightest weight in pounds for a professional fight. He weighed in at that figure when he outpointed Ricky Burns to win his first major world title in 2014 in Scotland.
Spence’s lightest weight. He has weighed exactly 146¼ fives times in his professional career, including his 10th-round knockout of Yordenis Ugas in April of last year.
The number of months Spence has been out of the ring, which raises the possibility of ring rust. Crawford last fought in December, when he stopped David Avanesyan in six rounds.
Spence’s height advantage over Crawford in inches. Spence is 5-9½, Crawford 5-8.
Crawford’s reach advantage over Spence in inches. Crawford has a 74-inch reach, Spence 72.
Their average combined age. Crawford is 35, Spence 33. Neither man has showed signs of decline but it’s reasonable to wonder whether they’re past their physical peaks.
[lawrence-related id=38215,38181,38127,37748,37544]
