Tag: Top Rank

Bob Arum at 90: Hall of Fame promoter by the numbers

Bob Arum turned 90 today. And the Hall of Fame promoter is still going strong. The Vasiliy Lomachenko-Richard Commey card on Saturday in New York (ESPN and ESPN+) will be the 2,120 th of the Top Rank chairman’s career, according to a Top Rank news …

Bob Arum turned 90 today. And the Hall of Fame promoter is still going strong.

The Vasiliy Lomachenko-Richard Commey card on Saturday in New York (ESPN and ESPN+) will be the 2,120th of the Top Rank chairman’s career, according to a Top Rank news release. That’s an average of almost 40 cards per year since his first promotion on March 29, 1966 in Toronto, where Muhammad Ali successfully defended his heavyweight title against George Chuvalo.

Arum has promoted many of the biggest names in the sport but the company emphasized the championship run of Marvin Hagler, George Foreman’s “triumphant return” to boxing and Manny Pacquiao’s rise to superstardom.

Arum also oversaw Oscar De La Hoya’s evolution into the face of boxing.

The release included “Bob Arum by the Numbers.” Here are a few items that stood out: He promoted 41 Miguel Cotto fights, more than any other fighter; he has promoted 864 cards on ESPN, more than any other network; he has promoted 677 world title fights; he has promoted 550 cards in Nevada, more than any other state; he has promoted cards in 220 U.S. cities; he has promoted cards in 42 of the 50 U.S. states; and he has promoted 63 cards in Puerto Rico, more than any other foreign country.

Promoter Bob Arum has promoted 2,119 boxing cards. Ethan Miller / Getty Images

The full list is below.

  • 2,119 Boxing cards promoted
  • 864 Boxing shows TR promoted on ESPN network
  • 677 World title fights promoted by TR
  • 550 Boxing shows TR promoted in Nevada
  • 412 Boxing shows TR promoted in New Jersey
  • 220 U.S. cities in which TR has promoted
  • 196 Boxing shows promoted by TR in California
  • 154 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Texas
  • 129 Boxing shows TR promoted on HBO network
  • 98 Boxing shows promoted by TR on CBS network
  • 92 Foreign cities in which TR has promoted
  • 73 Boxing shows TR promoted on ABC network
  • 73 Boxing shows promoted by TR in New York State
  • 70 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Arizona
  • 63 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Puerto Rico
  • 52 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Mexico
  • 49 Pay-per-view boxing shows promoted by TR
  • 48 Boxing shows promoted by TR in New York City                      
  • 47 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Illinois
  • 42 States in which TR has promoted boxing
  • 41 Miguel Cotto fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 41 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Pennsylvania
  • 38 Michael Carbajal fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 37 Oscar De La Hoya fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 37 Donald Curry fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 36 Johnny Tapia fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 35 Floyd Mayweather, Jr fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 33 James Toney fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 33 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Florida
  • 32 Erik Morales fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 31 Micky Ward fights promoted by TR
  • 30 Boxing shows promoted by TR on Showtime/ShoBox networks
  • 29 Mikey Garcia fights promoted by TR
  • 29 Tommy (The Duke) Morrison fights promoted by TR
  • 28 Iran Barkley fights promoted by TR
  • 28 Oscar Valdez fights promoted by TR
  • 27 Muhammad Ali fights promoted or co-promoted by TR
  • 27 Boxing shows promoted by TR on Closed-Circuit TV
  • 27 Foreign countries in which TR has promoted, including Puerto Rico (a U.S. territory)
  • 27 Jose Ramirez fights promoted by TR
  • 25 Freddie Roach fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 25 Roger Mayweather fights promoted by TR
  • 24 Boxing shows promoted by TR in New Mexico
  • 24 World heavyweight title fights promoted by TR
  • 24 Terence Crawford fights promoted by TR
  • 20 Marvelous Marvin Hagler fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 20 Manny Pacquiao fights promoted by TR
  • 19 Juan Manuel Marquez fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 17 Shakur Stevenson fights promoted by TR
  • 16 Robert Garcia fights promoted by TR
  • 14 George Foreman fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 14 Boxing shows promoted by TR in China
  • 13 Thomas Hearns fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 13 Teofimo Lopez fights promoted by TR
  • 10 Alexis Arguello fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 10 Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini fights promoted by TR (HOF)\
  • 9 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Colorado
  • 8 Roberto Duran fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 7 Sugar Ray Leonard fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 7 Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. fights by TR (HOF)
  • 5 Carlos Monzon fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 5 Emile Griffith fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 4 Mike Tyson fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 4 Tyson Fury fights promoted by TR
  • 2 Larry Holmes fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 1 Evel Knievel Snake River Canyon jump promoted by Bob Arum
  • 0 Boxing shows promoted by TR in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming

(HOF) – Hall of Famer

Bob Arum at 90: Hall of Fame promoter by the numbers

Bob Arum turned 90 today. And the Hall of Fame promoter is still going strong. The Vasiliy Lomachenko-Richard Commey card on Saturday in New York (ESPN and ESPN+) will be the 2,120 th of the Top Rank chairman’s career, according to a Top Rank news …

Bob Arum turned 90 today. And the Hall of Fame promoter is still going strong.

The Vasiliy Lomachenko-Richard Commey card on Saturday in New York (ESPN and ESPN+) will be the 2,120th of the Top Rank chairman’s career, according to a Top Rank news release. That’s an average of almost 40 cards per year since his first promotion on March 29, 1966 in Toronto, where Muhammad Ali successfully defended his heavyweight title against George Chuvalo.

Arum has promoted many of the biggest names in the sport but the company emphasized the championship run of Marvin Hagler, George Foreman’s “triumphant return” to boxing and Manny Pacquiao’s rise to superstardom.

Arum also oversaw Oscar De La Hoya’s evolution into the face of boxing.

The release included “Bob Arum by the Numbers.” Here are a few items that stood out: He promoted 41 Miguel Cotto fights, more than any other fighter; he has promoted 864 cards on ESPN, more than any other network; he has promoted 677 world title fights; he has promoted 550 cards in Nevada, more than any other state; he has promoted cards in 220 U.S. cities; he has promoted cards in 42 of the 50 U.S. states; and he has promoted 63 cards in Puerto Rico, more than any other foreign country.

Promoter Bob Arum has promoted 2,119 boxing cards. Ethan Miller / Getty Images

The full list is below.

  • 2,119 Boxing cards promoted
  • 864 Boxing shows TR promoted on ESPN network
  • 677 World title fights promoted by TR
  • 550 Boxing shows TR promoted in Nevada
  • 412 Boxing shows TR promoted in New Jersey
  • 220 U.S. cities in which TR has promoted
  • 196 Boxing shows promoted by TR in California
  • 154 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Texas
  • 129 Boxing shows TR promoted on HBO network
  • 98 Boxing shows promoted by TR on CBS network
  • 92 Foreign cities in which TR has promoted
  • 73 Boxing shows TR promoted on ABC network
  • 73 Boxing shows promoted by TR in New York State
  • 70 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Arizona
  • 63 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Puerto Rico
  • 52 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Mexico
  • 49 Pay-per-view boxing shows promoted by TR
  • 48 Boxing shows promoted by TR in New York City                      
  • 47 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Illinois
  • 42 States in which TR has promoted boxing
  • 41 Miguel Cotto fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 41 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Pennsylvania
  • 38 Michael Carbajal fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 37 Oscar De La Hoya fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 37 Donald Curry fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 36 Johnny Tapia fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 35 Floyd Mayweather, Jr fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 33 James Toney fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 33 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Florida
  • 32 Erik Morales fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 31 Micky Ward fights promoted by TR
  • 30 Boxing shows promoted by TR on Showtime/ShoBox networks
  • 29 Mikey Garcia fights promoted by TR
  • 29 Tommy (The Duke) Morrison fights promoted by TR
  • 28 Iran Barkley fights promoted by TR
  • 28 Oscar Valdez fights promoted by TR
  • 27 Muhammad Ali fights promoted or co-promoted by TR
  • 27 Boxing shows promoted by TR on Closed-Circuit TV
  • 27 Foreign countries in which TR has promoted, including Puerto Rico (a U.S. territory)
  • 27 Jose Ramirez fights promoted by TR
  • 25 Freddie Roach fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 25 Roger Mayweather fights promoted by TR
  • 24 Boxing shows promoted by TR in New Mexico
  • 24 World heavyweight title fights promoted by TR
  • 24 Terence Crawford fights promoted by TR
  • 20 Marvelous Marvin Hagler fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 20 Manny Pacquiao fights promoted by TR
  • 19 Juan Manuel Marquez fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 17 Shakur Stevenson fights promoted by TR
  • 16 Robert Garcia fights promoted by TR
  • 14 George Foreman fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 14 Boxing shows promoted by TR in China
  • 13 Thomas Hearns fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 13 Teofimo Lopez fights promoted by TR
  • 10 Alexis Arguello fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 10 Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini fights promoted by TR (HOF)\
  • 9 Boxing shows promoted by TR in Colorado
  • 8 Roberto Duran fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 7 Sugar Ray Leonard fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 7 Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. fights by TR (HOF)
  • 5 Carlos Monzon fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 5 Emile Griffith fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 4 Mike Tyson fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 4 Tyson Fury fights promoted by TR
  • 2 Larry Holmes fights promoted by TR (HOF)
  • 1 Evel Knievel Snake River Canyon jump promoted by Bob Arum
  • 0 Boxing shows promoted by TR in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming

(HOF) – Hall of Famer

Muhammad Ali’s grandson set to make pro boxing debut

Muhamma Ali’s grandson set to make pro boxing debut.

Another member of Muhammad Ali’s family is about to step through the ropes.

Nico Ali Walsh, the 20-year-old grandson of the late heavyweight icon, has signed a multi-fight contract with Top Rank and will make his pro debut in a four-round middleweight bout on Aug. 14. The fight will be televised on ESPN.

Ali Walsh is the son of Rasheda Ali Walsh, the legendary champion’s daughter, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Robert Walsh.

“I’m doing what I love,” Ali Walsh said. “Signing with Top Rank is a dream come true. I’m going to have fun on Aug. 14 and the next time I fight. Top Rank will give me the name, date and location, and I’ll have a great time.

“I am honored to continue the fighting legacy that my grandfather started. It is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.”

Nico Ali Walsh (right) stands with new promoter Bob Arum next to a photo of Arum with Muhammad Ali, Ali Walsh’s grandfather. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Ali Walsh, who lives in Las Vegas, had roughly 30 amateur fights, according to Top Rank. He reportedly did the Ali Shuffle during his amateur debut as a child.

He said that some of his earliest memories in boxing were with his grandfather.

“To me, I was hanging out in the gym with my grandfather. Sometimes I have to remind myself that he’s everyone’s idol,” he said.

Ali Walsh is a student at UNLV and on track to graduate with a business degree next spring.

The Ali family has a history with Top Rank. CEO Bob Arum promoted 27 of “The Greatest’s” fights, including the “Thrilla in Manila” against Joe Frazier and the third fight with Ken Norton.

Ali Walsh’s uncle, Mike Joyce, brokered the deal with Top Rank and will serve as his manager, agent and attorney.

“Family history and legacy was a big factor in Nico signing with Top Rank,” Joyce said. “I’ve signed many fighters to Top Rank, and Bob has always treated them fairly. Nico was a little bit in awe of Bob, and it cemented his belief that he was with the right promoter. He thinks this is going to be a historic journey.”

Quipped Arum: “Nico’s grandfather was a pretty good fighter. Hopefully, Nico will emulate his success. He’s a young man of great character, which one would expect from Muhammad Ali’s grandson.”

Ali Walsh is working with trainer SugarHill Steward, the nephew of the late Emanuel Steward and the trainer of heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury.

Laila Ali, another daughter of Muhammad Ali, also fought professionally.

Muhammad Ali’s grandson set to make pro boxing debut

Muhamma Ali’s grandson set to make pro boxing debut.

Another member of Muhammad Ali’s family is about to step through the ropes.

Nico Ali Walsh, the 20-year-old grandson of the late heavyweight icon, has signed a multi-fight contract with Top Rank and will make his pro debut in a four-round middleweight bout on Aug. 14. The fight will be televised on ESPN.

Ali Walsh is the son of Rasheda Ali Walsh, the legendary champion’s daughter, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Robert Walsh.

“I’m doing what I love,” Ali Walsh said. “Signing with Top Rank is a dream come true. I’m going to have fun on Aug. 14 and the next time I fight. Top Rank will give me the name, date and location, and I’ll have a great time.

“I am honored to continue the fighting legacy that my grandfather started. It is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.”

Nico Ali Walsh (right) stands with new promoter Bob Arum next to a photo of Arum with Muhammad Ali, Ali Walsh’s grandfather. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Ali Walsh, who lives in Las Vegas, had roughly 30 amateur fights, according to Top Rank. He reportedly did the Ali Shuffle during his amateur debut as a child.

He said that some of his earliest memories in boxing were with his grandfather.

“To me, I was hanging out in the gym with my grandfather. Sometimes I have to remind myself that he’s everyone’s idol,” he said.

Ali Walsh is a student at UNLV and on track to graduate with a business degree next spring.

The Ali family has a history with Top Rank. CEO Bob Arum promoted 27 of “The Greatest’s” fights, including the “Thrilla in Manila” against Joe Frazier and the third fight with Ken Norton.

Ali Walsh’s uncle, Mike Joyce, brokered the deal with Top Rank and will serve as his manager, agent and attorney.

“Family history and legacy was a big factor in Nico signing with Top Rank,” Joyce said. “I’ve signed many fighters to Top Rank, and Bob has always treated them fairly. Nico was a little bit in awe of Bob, and it cemented his belief that he was with the right promoter. He thinks this is going to be a historic journey.”

Quipped Arum: “Nico’s grandfather was a pretty good fighter. Hopefully, Nico will emulate his success. He’s a young man of great character, which one would expect from Muhammad Ali’s grandson.”

Ali Walsh is working with trainer SugarHill Steward, the nephew of the late Emanuel Steward and the trainer of heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury.

Laila Ali, another daughter of Muhammad Ali, also fought professionally.

Video: Ak and Barak: Bob Arum on site of Lomachenko vs. Lopez

Promoter Bob Arum would love to stage the Oct. 17 Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez lightweight title-unification bout in front of spectators for obvious reasons. The reality is that it’s not possible, at least not indoors in Nevada. Thus, the fight …

Promoter Bob Arum would love to stage the Oct. 17 Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez lightweight title-unification bout in front of spectators for obvious reasons.

The reality is that it’s not possible, at least not indoors in Nevada. Thus, the fight will take place inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas, where Top Rank has staged its cards during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Oct. 17 card will be televised on ESPN.

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess interviewed Arum about the site of Lomachenko-Lopez and the fact that there is no rematch clause in the contract.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer jp6ZbsSQ]

Video: Ak and Barak: Bob Arum on site of Lomachenko vs. Lopez

Promoter Bob Arum would love to stage the Oct. 17 Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez lightweight title-unification bout in front of spectators for obvious reasons. The reality is that it’s not possible, at least not indoors in Nevada. Thus, the fight …

Promoter Bob Arum would love to stage the Oct. 17 Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez lightweight title-unification bout in front of spectators for obvious reasons.

The reality is that it’s not possible, at least not indoors in Nevada. Thus, the fight will take place inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas, where Top Rank has staged its cards during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Oct. 17 card will be televised on ESPN.

In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess interviewed Arum about the site of Lomachenko-Lopez and the fact that there is no rematch clause in the contract.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer jp6ZbsSQ]

Jose Pedraza vs. Javier Molina set for Sept. 19 at MGM Grand

Jose Pedraza will face Javier Molina in a battle of 140-pound hopefuls on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas.

Jose Pedraza gave one of the strongest performances yet in the MGM Grand “bubble” during the coronavirus pandemic. Now he’s coming back for more.

The former two-division titleholder will face 2008 U.S. Olympian Javier Molina in a 10-round junior welterweight fight on Sept. 19 at Las Vegas hotel. The card will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Pedraza (27-3, 13 KOs) lost unanimous decisions to Vasiliy Lomachenko and Jose Zepeda in 2018 and last year, raising questions about his future as an elite fighter.

Then, on July 2, the 31-year-old Puerto Rican turned what was supposed to be a competitive fight against Mikkel LesPierre into his own showcase. Pedraza, looking to be in peak form, put LesPierre down twice and generally outclassed him to win by a near-shutout decision.

Just like that, Pedraza was back in the 140-pound conversation. The next step: beat Molina, who he was supposed to have fought on May 9 before COVID-19 stepped in.

Javier Molina’s victory over Amir Imam (left) in February was an important step in his career. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

“I’ve been looking for a fight against Javier Molina for a long time,” Pedraza said. “I also had him on my radar because we were supposed to fight earlier this year, but the whole situation with the pandemic changed those plans and the fight was postponed. I kept training hard to keep improving and I ended up fighting against another opponent and had a great performance.

“This fight will bring me even closer to a world title opportunity. My goal is to become a three-division world champion, and Javier Molina will not stop me from achieving my dream.”

Molina (22-2, 9 KOs) also pumped life back into his career recently.

The Los Angeles-area fighter was once a hot prospect but never seemed to take off. He suffered his first loss to Artemio Reyes by decision in 2011, rebounded with a winning streak but then lost a wide decision when he stepped up in class to face Jamal James in 2016.

Molina fought once in the next three-plus years, which left him off everyone’s radar. He seemed to be finished.

Then, determined not to squander his potential, he signed a contract with Top Rank early in 2019 and has won four consecutive fights, including a break-through decision over Amir Iman on the Tyson Fury-Deontay card in February.

Molina, 30, was back.

“Going into this year, I had big expectations for myself,” Molina said. “I know what I’m capable of, and I’m here to make a statement against Pedraza. I haven’t received the respect or recognition I feel I deserve but getting a win over Pedraza will put my name out there.

“It’s a huge opportunity, and I plan on taking advantage of it.”

[lawrence-related id=11199]

[vertical-gallery id=11213]

Jose Pedraza vs. Javier Molina set for Sept. 19 at MGM Grand

Jose Pedraza will face Javier Molina in a battle of 140-pound hopefuls on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas.

Jose Pedraza gave one of the strongest performances yet in the MGM Grand “bubble” during the coronavirus pandemic. Now he’s coming back for more.

The former two-division titleholder will face 2008 U.S. Olympian Javier Molina in a 10-round junior welterweight fight on Sept. 19 at Las Vegas hotel. The card will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Pedraza (27-3, 13 KOs) lost unanimous decisions to Vasiliy Lomachenko and Jose Zepeda in 2018 and last year, raising questions about his future as an elite fighter.

Then, on July 2, the 31-year-old Puerto Rican turned what was supposed to be a competitive fight against Mikkel LesPierre into his own showcase. Pedraza, looking to be in peak form, put LesPierre down twice and generally outclassed him to win by a near-shutout decision.

Just like that, Pedraza was back in the 140-pound conversation. The next step: beat Molina, who he was supposed to have fought on May 9 before COVID-19 stepped in.

Javier Molina’s victory over Amir Imam (left) in February was an important step in his career. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

“I’ve been looking for a fight against Javier Molina for a long time,” Pedraza said. “I also had him on my radar because we were supposed to fight earlier this year, but the whole situation with the pandemic changed those plans and the fight was postponed. I kept training hard to keep improving and I ended up fighting against another opponent and had a great performance.

“This fight will bring me even closer to a world title opportunity. My goal is to become a three-division world champion, and Javier Molina will not stop me from achieving my dream.”

Molina (22-2, 9 KOs) also pumped life back into his career recently.

The Los Angeles-area fighter was once a hot prospect but never seemed to take off. He suffered his first loss to Artemio Reyes by decision in 2011, rebounded with a winning streak but then lost a wide decision when he stepped up in class to face Jamal James in 2016.

Molina fought once in the next three-plus years, which left him off everyone’s radar. He seemed to be finished.

Then, determined not to squander his potential, he signed a contract with Top Rank early in 2019 and has won four consecutive fights, including a break-through decision over Amir Iman on the Tyson Fury-Deontay card in February.

Molina, 30, was back.

“Going into this year, I had big expectations for myself,” Molina said. “I know what I’m capable of, and I’m here to make a statement against Pedraza. I haven’t received the respect or recognition I feel I deserve but getting a win over Pedraza will put my name out there.

“It’s a huge opportunity, and I plan on taking advantage of it.”

[lawrence-related id=11199]

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Reports: Terence Crawford, Kell Brook in talks for Nov. 14 fight

Welterweight titleholder Terence Crawford is in talks with Kell Brook for a fight on Nov. 14, representatives of both fighters have said.

Terence Crawford may have settled on an opponent.

The welterweight titleholder and Boxing Junkie’s No. 2 fighter pound-for-pound is in talks with former champ Kell Brook for a meeting on Nov. 14, representatives of both fighters have said.

Bob Arum, who promotes Crawford, had held out hope he could make a Crawford-Manny Pacquiao title-unification fight but that evidently isn’t going to happen. Keith Thurman reportedly was another possibility that didn’t pan out.

Thus, Arum turned to the 34-year-old Englishman.

”Kell Brook is a free agent, and we’re discussing a Crawford fight with the Kell Brook people,” Arum told ESPN. “That’s on top of our wish list.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn is representing Brook in negotiations.

“I had a couple of conversations with Bob and [Top Rank Vice President] Carl Moretti yesterday,” Heard told IFL TV Tuesday. “And I feel that’s a big fight for U.K. TV, so we’re trying to help out and get that over the line.

“I would love to see Kell get that fight. I think [Top Rank] had a conversation with Keith Thurman, and obviously they wanted too much money. It’s difficult at the moment. … Crawford wants a lot of money, and Kell wants a lot of money.

“[Brook] deserves it. We’re trying to make that fight happen to assist Top Rank in getting the numbers together.”

Kell Brook has bounced back from back-to-back KO losses to Gennadiy Golvokin and Errol Spence. Jr. George Wood / Getty Images

Crawford (36-0, 27 KOs) is one of the biggest stars in the sport yet has had trouble luring elite opponents into the ring.

“Bud” has fought Jeff Horn, Jose Benavidez Jr., Amir Khan and Egidijus Kavaliauskas in his four welterweight fights. All four are solid, experienced fighters but were never serious threats to Crawford, which wasn’t lost on fans.

Crawford hoped to take a step up in opposition for his next fight. He reportedly was courting five prospective foes: Pacquiao, Thurman, Shawn Porter, Yordenis Ugas and Brook.

Of course, Pacquiao is the biggest of name in the group. Arum told ESPN that he had been working on a deal to have Crawford fight Pacquiao in the Middle East, where he hoped to have fans in attendance.

However, he said he was told the timing was off.

“I don’t think it’s going to be possible this year, maybe next year,” Arum said. “We’re working on it. We had the go-ahead to do it, but then the minister of health said not this year, look to do it next year.”

Thurman reportedly asked for $10 million, which eliminated him. Crawford was never keen on fighting Porter, a friend. And Ugas was probably the least sexy of the options. That left Brook.

The Sheffield fighter made a splash when he came to the U.S. and outpointed Porter to win a 147-pound title in 2014. He successfully defended three times before his career took a radical turn.

He decided to move up from 147 to 160 to challenge middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin and paid a price in September 2016. Triple-G stopped him in five one-sided rounds, breaking his right eye socket in the process.

Brook then moved back down to 147 to defend his title against Errol Spence Jr. eight months later and met with a similar fate: 11th-round knockout loss, broken left orbital bone.

He has since won three consecutive fights against second-tier opponents at junior middleweight to regain enough momentum to become a viable candidate for a big-money fight.

The selection of Brook – if a deal can be reached – isn’t going to dazzle fans but at least he’s a well-known fighter, has held a welterweight title and has a decent backstory. At the very least, Crawford, who will be 33 on Sept. 28, would be able to compare his performance against that of Golovkin and Spence.

Then he and Arum can resume their efforts to get a bigger star into the ring.

[lawrence-related id=12309,11941,10460,10383]

Reports: Terence Crawford, Kell Brook in talks for Nov. 14 fight

Welterweight titleholder Terence Crawford is in talks with Kell Brook for a fight on Nov. 14, representatives of both fighters have said.

Terence Crawford may have settled on an opponent.

The welterweight titleholder and Boxing Junkie’s No. 2 fighter pound-for-pound is in talks with former champ Kell Brook for a meeting on Nov. 14, representatives of both fighters have said.

Bob Arum, who promotes Crawford, had held out hope he could make a Crawford-Manny Pacquiao title-unification fight but that evidently isn’t going to happen. Keith Thurman reportedly was another possibility that didn’t pan out.

Thus, Arum turned to the 34-year-old Englishman.

”Kell Brook is a free agent, and we’re discussing a Crawford fight with the Kell Brook people,” Arum told ESPN. “That’s on top of our wish list.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn is representing Brook in negotiations.

“I had a couple of conversations with Bob and [Top Rank Vice President] Carl Moretti yesterday,” Heard told IFL TV Tuesday. “And I feel that’s a big fight for U.K. TV, so we’re trying to help out and get that over the line.

“I would love to see Kell get that fight. I think [Top Rank] had a conversation with Keith Thurman, and obviously they wanted too much money. It’s difficult at the moment. … Crawford wants a lot of money, and Kell wants a lot of money.

“[Brook] deserves it. We’re trying to make that fight happen to assist Top Rank in getting the numbers together.”

Kell Brook has bounced back from back-to-back KO losses to Gennadiy Golvokin and Errol Spence. Jr. George Wood / Getty Images

Crawford (36-0, 27 KOs) is one of the biggest stars in the sport yet has had trouble luring elite opponents into the ring.

“Bud” has fought Jeff Horn, Jose Benavidez Jr., Amir Khan and Egidijus Kavaliauskas in his four welterweight fights. All four are solid, experienced fighters but were never serious threats to Crawford, which wasn’t lost on fans.

Crawford hoped to take a step up in opposition for his next fight. He reportedly was courting five prospective foes: Pacquiao, Thurman, Shawn Porter, Yordenis Ugas and Brook.

Of course, Pacquiao is the biggest of name in the group. Arum told ESPN that he had been working on a deal to have Crawford fight Pacquiao in the Middle East, where he hoped to have fans in attendance.

However, he said he was told the timing was off.

“I don’t think it’s going to be possible this year, maybe next year,” Arum said. “We’re working on it. We had the go-ahead to do it, but then the minister of health said not this year, look to do it next year.”

Thurman reportedly asked for $10 million, which eliminated him. Crawford was never keen on fighting Porter, a friend. And Ugas was probably the least sexy of the options. That left Brook.

The Sheffield fighter made a splash when he came to the U.S. and outpointed Porter to win a 147-pound title in 2014. He successfully defended three times before his career took a radical turn.

He decided to move up from 147 to 160 to challenge middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin and paid a price in September 2016. Triple-G stopped him in five one-sided rounds, breaking his right eye socket in the process.

Brook then moved back down to 147 to defend his title against Errol Spence Jr. eight months later and met with a similar fate: 11th-round knockout loss, broken left orbital bone.

He has since won three consecutive fights against second-tier opponents at junior middleweight to regain enough momentum to become a viable candidate for a big-money fight.

The selection of Brook – if a deal can be reached – isn’t going to dazzle fans but at least he’s a well-known fighter, has held a welterweight title and has a decent backstory. At the very least, Crawford, who will be 33 on Sept. 28, would be able to compare his performance against that of Golovkin and Spence.

Then he and Arum can resume their efforts to get a bigger star into the ring.

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