Terence Crawford is still interested in a rematch with former IBF/WBA/WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence.
Hurdles to a Second Fight
Terence suggests that if Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) is victorious in his match against WBC/WBO Junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora later this year, and if Crawford beats WBA 154-lb champion Israil Madrimov, they could meet in a rematch.
A lot could get in the way of a Crawford-Spence II rematch, beginning with Crawford listing his match next month against Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs).
Although Crawford is the favorite in that fight, he’s close to 37, hasn’t fought in a year, and is competing against the biggest puncher in a new weight class at 154.
This fight reeks of Crawford’s overconfidence. He believes he can do the same at 154 as he did against a handful of lesser fighters at 147, 140, and 135. Crawford could be exposed by Madrimov.
If Terence gets blown out of the water by Madrimov, a rematch with Spence won’t be worth much, as it would be viewed as two down-and-out old guys looking for a final cash grab.
Potential Rematch Conditions
Assuming the Crawford-Spence rematch plays out, it would be for three titles: WBA, WBC, and WBO. The boxing public would be very interested, and both fighters would make a lot of money from the PPV generated for a second clash.
The 34-year-old Spence isn’t expected to defeat the tall 6’5 1/2″ ‘Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs), considerably younger at 26, more active, and fighting at a higher level than the aging, inactive fighter.
Spence hasn’t fought since his loss to Crawford on July 9, 2023, and there’s talk that he’ll retire if he loses his fight against ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora later this year.
The way Spence performed in his last two fights against Crawford and Yordenis Ugas, he doesn’t look like the same fighter he was before his horrifying October 10, 2019, car crash in Dallas, Texas.
In an interview with Forbes, Crawford revealed the conditions for a rematch, saying, “He [Spence] wins his fight, God willing, and I win my fight, God willing, and there’s the possibility.
Risks and Rewards for Aging Fighters
It wouldn’t be a massive shock if Crawford gets beaten by Madrimov and Spence receives similar treatment in his match against Madrimov. Crawford and Spence are older fighters coming off layoffs and facing younger talents, guys who were better than anyone they’ve faced before.
Spence has fought a talented fighter in Crawford, but that’s the only one he’s faced. Crawford has fought weaker opposition his entire 16-year-old career, and the only notable talent is Spence, post-car crash.
When you have two aging fighters with inflated records coming off long layoffs, it could end badly for them, given the young talents they’re facing next.
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