Spence vs Crawford LIVE: ‘Bud’ produces masterclass before sealing stoppage win
Terence Crawford dominated Errol Spence Jr to win one of the most-anticipated boxing matches in years.
The American southpaws, both previously unbeaten, clashed to crown an undisputed welterweight champion in a bout that was years in the making. Spence, 33, carried the WBC, WBA and IBF titles into the T-Mobile Arena, while Crawford, 35, held the WBO belt, and he walked away with all four.
Crawford dominated from the second round, knocking Spence to the ground and twice flooring him in the seventh in a one-sided contest. He ended it in the ninth with a brutal flurry as the referee stepped in to confirm a TKO and underline “Bud”’s reputation as perhaps the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
Re-live updates and results from Spence vs Crawford, below.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE
Terence Crawford beats Errol Spence Jr in generation-defining super-fight
Unbeaten American becomes undisputed welterwight king
Round 2: Crawford knocks down Spence with brutal right hand
Round 7: Brilliant Crawford twice knocks down shaken Spence
Round 9: Crawford beats Spence by TKO as referee steps in
Spence reveals date of Crawford rematch – ‘We got to do it again’
Steve Bunce: Crawford masterclass sparks ‘all-time great’ conversation
Where do Crawford and Spence sit in our pound-for-pound rankings?
17:27 , Alex Pattle
No 4? Not anymore. Terence Crawford climbed our pound-for-pound list after his masterclass against Errol Spence Jr.
But where does “Bud” sit in our rankings now? Find out below, as well as where Spence ranks after entering the weekend at No 5...
The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings
Errol Spence reveals date of Terence Crawford rematch – ‘We got to do it again’
17:25 , Alex Pattle
Errol Spence Jr plans on activating his rematch clause with Terence Crawford and has revealed the likely date of the rematch as he looks to avenge his knockout loss.
“He was the better man,” said Spence. “He was using his jab, and my timing was a little bit off. He was catching me in between shots. I make no excuses. He was on a hotter jab, he was timing his jab and he had his timing down on point.”
Attention now turns to the mandatory rematch and despite the decisive nature of his defeat, Spence laid out the fact that it will probably happen before the end of 2023.
“Hell yeah, we got to do it again,” he said. “I’m going to be a lot better, it’s going to be a lot closer. It’s probably going to be in December, because it’s set before the end of the year.”
Spence also hinted that he would prefer the rematch to be at a higher weight than the 147lb welterweight limit, with junior middleweight (154lbs) the next division up. The winner gets to decide the weight of the rematch, but Crawford also suggested he’d be open to moving up.”
More here:
Errol Spence reveals date of Terence Crawford rematch – ‘We got to do it again’
Steve Bunce: Terence Crawford’s masterclass puts him in ‘all-time great' conversation
17:24 , Alex Pattle
“There was a touch of boxing genius in the work of Terence Crawford in the ring at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
“Crawford dominated and stopped Errol Spence in round nine to unify all four of the recognised belts at welterweight, but the trinkets are just cheap toys in his boxing world.
“It was meant to be a 50-50 fight, two unbeaten men, both champions, rivals for five years and equals in so many ways; in the end, and from the very start, Crawford took control, dropping Spence three times before the mercy intervention.
“There were no excuses in defeat for Spence, no gloating in victory for Crawford; the fight’s weird contractual structure gives Spence the right to ask for a rematch. Spence wants the fight again, the next time at light-middleweight, an increase of seven pounds; Crawford will inevitably go with the request and pocket another massive payday. They were each guaranteed $10m on Saturday – they made and deserved more.”
Full article from Steve Bunce:
Terence Crawford’s masterclass puts him in conversation to be an all-time great
Terence Crawford dismantles Errol Spence Jr to become undisputed welterweight world champion
Sunday 30 July 2023 08:32 , Luke Baker
Terence Crawford knocked down Errol Spence Jr three times before finally ending the fight at 2:32 of the ninth round on a technical knockout to cement himself as one of the greatest welterweights in history.
The fight, the most-anticipated boxing match in several years, unified the division for the first time in the four-belt era that began in 2004.
Crawford (40-0, 31 knockouts) already owned the WBO belt, and took the WBC, WBA and IBF titles from Spence (28-1). Crawford also ran his KO streak to 11 matches, the second-longest active stretch.
Crawford, 35, has won titles in super lightweight and lightweight in addition to welterweight, capturing the latter after moving up in 2018. The Omaha, Nebraska, fighter became the first male boxer to become the undisputed champion in two divisions.
Terence Crawford dismantles Errol Spence Jr to become undisputed welterweight king
Report: Crawford unifies welterweight division with 9th-round TKO in dominant performance over Spence
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:47 , Lawrence Ostlere
Terence Crawford knocked down Errol Spence Jr three times before finally ending the fight at 2:32 of the ninth round on a technical knockout to cement himself as one of the greatest welterweights in history.
The fight, the most-anticipated boxing match in several years, unified the division for the first time in the four-belt era that began in 2004.
Crawford (40-0, 31 knockouts) already owned the WBO belt, and took the WBC, WBA and IBF titles from Spence (28-1). Crawford also ran his KO streak to 11 matches, the second-longest active stretch.
Crawford, 35, has won titles in super lightweight and lightweight in addition to welterweight, capturing the latter after moving up in 2018. The Omaha, Nebraska, fighter became the first male boxer to become the undisputed champion in two divisions.
A big fight night on the Strip still brings out the stars, with recording artists Cardi B and Andre 3000 of Outkast, actor and Las Vegas resident Mark Walhberg, NBA star Damian Lillard and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at T-Mobile Arena. They were among the celebrities that also included former boxing champions such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.
Eminem introduced Crawford and his song “Lose Yourself” played as he walked into the ring.
Spence was the aggressor early on, but Crawford sent him to the floor with a right hand with 20 seconds left in the second round. Then Crawford went after Spence, but time ran out before he could finish him off.
Crawford, a minus-154 favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, then took control of the fight, landing several major blows, often on counters. But Crawford also picked his spots to go after Spence, his punching power taking a heavy toll.
In the seventh round, Crawford knocked down Spence twice — with a short right at 1:02 and with another right with just a second left.
The 33-year-old Spence who lives in DeSoto, Texas, won the IBF title in 2017, claimed the WBC championship in 2019 and took the WBA championship last year.
Terence Crawford beats Errol Spence Jr – LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:35 , Lawrence Ostlere
Carl Frampton thinks Crawford is not just the pound-for-pound king right now but of this era: “This is a big statement, but most people would agree that Floyd Mayweather was the fighter of our generation – I think Terence Crawford is now the fighter of our generation. I think that performance would have beaten Mayweather at welterweight.”
Terence Crawford beats Errol Spence Jr – LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:32 , Lawrence Ostlere
Amir Khan warns Errol Spence against a rematch: “To be honest I don’t think it’ll do him any good. There was talk of him struggling to make weight and maybe he needs to move up a weight now.”
Terence Crawford beats Errol Spence Jr – LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:27 , Lawrence Ostlere
Carl Frampton: “That was one of the best boxing performances I’ve ever seen – and I’ve seen a lot of fights.”
Terence Crawford beats Errol Spence Jr – LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:23 , Lawrence Ostlere
A battered Spence Jr speaks in the ring: “He [Crawford] told me, ‘good fight’. I wasn’t surprised by his speed and accuracy. Hell yeah, we gotta do this again.”
Terence Crawford beats Errol Spence Jr – LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:19 , Lawrence Ostlere
Terence Crawford: “We were worried about his jab coming into the fight. Once you take away his jab, the rest is history.”
Terence Crawford beats Errol Spence Jr – LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:17 , Lawrence Ostlere
Terence Crawford: “I’m so blessed. I only dreamed of being a world champion. I’m an overachiever. I want to thank Spence and his team, because without him none of this would be possible.”
The first to be the undisputed champion in two weight divisions.
Terence Crawford beats Errol Spence Jr – LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:14 , Lawrence Ostlere
That was just a phenomenal performance from start to finish. Terence Crawford dismantled one of the best fighters on the planet like he was an amateur, and it really underlined his brilliance.
Terence Crawford beats Errol Spence Jr! LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:11 , Lawrence Ostlere
Round nine
Crawford begins the ninth with a hard right jab that breaks through what’s left of Spence’s paper defence. Spence flails a combination of wild punches but Crawford absorbs them, then decides this is the round to end it. It’s a furious attack and the referee has no choice but to step in and end it.
Crawford sprints to the corner and throws his arms in the air. That was a masterclass.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:06 , Lawrence Ostlere
Round eight
The answer is yes, and the fight goes on. I’m not sure what Spence can gain from this now – he has already proved he is a gritty fighter and it seems like a big ask to get to the 12th. Crawford is proving he is the undisputed welterweight champion and perhaps the pound-for-pound king too. He is biding his time, waiting for the perfect crowning moment. Spence looks unsteady on his feet throwing punches, let alone taking them. It’s a low-key round though, and Spence will be grateful.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 05:03 , Lawrence Ostlere
Round seven
Spence lands a big left hand but he’s floored again by a short right counter! Brutal. He bounces on to his feet and grins, comfortably making the count, but this is surely the beginning of the end. Still, though, Spence continues to come forwards and throw punches. The problem is they are barely making an impact, and what comes back the other way is far worse. Just before the bell, Spence goes in and Crawford clubs him with another right and he’s down again! Will Spence’s corner let this go on?
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:58 , Lawrence Ostlere
Round six
Both fighters come out with some energy in the sixth – Errol Spence is still here, still fighting, but he’s shaken by a big right hand. The referee tells Spence to keep his punches high, which affords him a much-needed breather. He comes again, trying to work Crawford’s body, but he’s in constant danger of walking on to the last punch of this fight. Spence survives a late uppercut and returns to his corner for another clean up.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:54 , Lawrence Ostlere
Round five
Terence Crawford senses the end could be close here, and a career-crowning knockout is in touching distance. He’s not rushing it, but every time he decides to unleash a flat left jab or counter-hook, it’s causing Spence real damage. A brutal uppercut misses by the tiniest of margins – that might have been it. Spence is battling on bravely but his face is covered in blood and he looks a little unsteady. He’s still offering a few punches but they’re not troubling Crawford.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:50 , Lawrence Ostlere
Round four
Crawford has looked utterly imperious so far. An early flurry bloodies Spence’s face in the fourth and then a feriocious left uppercut by Crawford shakes him. Another hard left connects and Spence already looks in trouble – he is walking on to them now and Crawford appears in total control. I’m not sure many people predicted this would be quite so one-sided. There’s still plenty of time to go of course, but Spence needs a total reset.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:46 , Lawrence Ostlere
Round three
Spence is clearly angered by that mistake and he comes up flailing with some wild body shots. Crawford absorbs the attack with his water-tight defence. Then comes another counter-right from Crawford, and another! His tactics are working to perfection, exploiting Spence’s low right hand when he comes forwards. Crawford lands some more telling blows, even if Spence was certainly the more aggressive in that round.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:42 , Lawrence Ostlere
Round two
The first one was probably Spence’s by account of Crawford doing not a lot. Spence begins the second in similar fashion, probing Crawford’s tight guard with his jab and offering some body shots. Finally Crawford unleashes a proper punch, countering well with a sharp right that Spence feels. It’s almost as if Crawford doesn’t want Spence to know what he’s got just yet... and suddenly he fires another and Spence is down! What a shot from nowhere from Crawford, crashing a counter-right hand to the left temple and sending Spence to the canvas. Wow. Spence shakes it off and makes it to the end of the round.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:38 , Lawrence Ostlere
Round one
Terence Crawford comes out as a southpaw, despite his adept ability to box as an orthodox fighter too. The initial exchanges are cautious and careful, both trying to set up their jab. They take it in turns to occupy the middle of the ring. Spence goes chasing Crawford into the corner but can’t land anything purposeful. Bud barely throws a punch, opting to scout out this fight with the first round.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:34 , Lawrence Ostlere
The talk is over. Spence vs Crawford is under way...
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:33 , Lawrence Ostlere
Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford is introduced to the crowd first, but a fierce roar then goes up for his opponent, ‘The Truth’. It sounds like Spence will have the slightly better backing here in Las Vegas.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:29 , Lawrence Ostlere
Jimmy Lennon Jr is poised with microphone in hand to introduce this epic fight. As he does so, Crawford paces in his corner like a caged animal while Spence stands calmly in his.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:26 , Lawrence Ostlere
Terence Crawford is being walked out by Eminem as Lose Yourself plays over the loudspeaker. Eminem isn’t actually rapping but still, that’s 1-0 to Crawford. He looks incredibly focused. He’s also wearing a piece of fishing net.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:24 , Lawrence Ostlere
“And now, from Dallas, Texas, making his way to the ring, The Truth, Errol Spence Jr!”
Spence potters in behind a rapper whose name I will endeavour to find out, head bobbing under a red hat. Spence looks very calm and very cool. Perhaps that is one advantage to having been through a near-death experience in that terrible car wreck in 2019: nothing can scare him.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:20 , Lawrence Ostlere
Here we go then. Errol Spence Jr lost a coin toss and that means he will make the first ring entrance at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas...
Terence Crawford wins coin toss with Errol Spence to make key fight-night decision
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:18 , Lawrence Ostlere
Carl Frampton’s analysis: “Spence’s style, it’s nothing flash, his hands are always high and he throws a lot. Crawford will try and work the angles. If Terence Crawford loses round one, he’ll want to win round two and it will be like that within rounds, neither guy will want to give up anything.”
Amir Khan: “There are going to be fireworks. I really believe that, from the first bell.”
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:14 , Lawrence Ostlere
Speaking on TNT Sports, Amir Khan says Errol Spence Jr will change nothing for his illustrious opponent tonight:
“Spence is going to fight the way he’s always fought. He’s going to move forwards, he’s got the height, he’s got the jab. He’s a lot stronger than Terence Crawford – Crawford has come up the weight divisions through his career whereas Spence has always been here.”
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:12 , Lawrence Ostlere
Terence Crawford is the very slight favourite according to the bookies, but it couldn’t be much closer. Crawford did despatch their two mutual opponents – Kell Brook and Shawn Porter – more ruthlessly than Spence, but he also fought them later in their careers with more defeats on their CV so it is hard to read too much into those results.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Main event
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:08 , Lawrence Ostlere
Next up: Errol Spence Jr vs Terence Crawford. Two of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet go head to head. Two undefeated world champions finally get it on. This fight is five years in the making, and finally, tonight in Las Vegas, it is happening.
Isaac Cruz beats Giovani Cabrera by split decision
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:05 , Lawrence Ostlere
Two judges call the fight 114-113 each way, but the third calls it 115-112 the way of Cruz, who looks more relieved than delighted. He knows he came through a real battle there. Cabrera, to his credit, applauds and walks away waving to the crowd.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:01 , Lawrence Ostlere
Cabrera took the heavier punches through the fight, but Cruz had several quiet rounds and also had that point docked for using his head. I’d expect this to be tight on the judges’ scorecards but we’ll see any moment...
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 04:00 , Lawrence Ostlere
They touch gloves and begin round 12 like everything’s on the line. Cabrera seems energised simply by getting this far and he is bouncing on his toes trying to show that he’s finishing on the front foot. Cruz is still swinging but his left hook hasn’t landed flush for a few rounds, and there are more wayward punches here too.
A good fight – what is it they say about styles? – and it goes to the cards.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 03:56 , Lawrence Ostlere
This has been an interesting fight. The American Cabrera seemed to have the measure of his opponent in the first couple of rounds, but the middle rounds were dominated by the Mexican Cruz, who unleashed some hammer blows. Cabrera hung in there, though, and he’s finishing confidently. Another positive round for the taller man Cabrera – Cruz seems tired – and there’s only one to go.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 03:52 , Lawrence Ostlere
Cruz wanders back into the contest forgetting he has a towel on his head, and he’s called back to his corner to remove it. That’s another level of focus to be completely unaware. Cabrera decides to come forwards, sensing he might need to show the judges he can offer more than shuffling and jabbing from range. A tricky round to call – Cruz didn’t offer much.
At the bell, a roar goes up in the crowd as the camera trains on Errol Spence Jr waiting in the wings.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 03:48 , Lawrence Ostlere
Cabrera bounces out of his corner and lands a good body shot early in round nine. He is hanging in well despite the barrage from the Pitbull. The face is bloodied though, and Cruz continues to be the main aggressor – yet another left hook gets through and does some damage. This fight is close going into the final three.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 03:44 , Lawrence Ostlere
Cabrera wears a couple of violent left hooks early in round eight, but then comes a potentially important moment – having already been warned earlier in the fight, Cruz is docked a point by referee Thomas Taylor for using his head. It seems to infuriate Cruz, who unleashes hell in the final 30 seconds – Cabrera just about survives but he’s teetering.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 03:41 , Lawrence Ostlere
Cruz lands another right hand over the top and then a series of body shots, and Cabrera’s hit-and-move tactics are failing to keep him safe. But as the round goes on, Cabrera comes forwards and probes much more positively, to the point where he might even have won the round. Even so, he takes a big left counter-hook which snaps back his head towards the bell.
After seven rounds, this one must be close on the scorecards.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 03:36 , Lawrence Ostlere
Round six is a brutal one for Cabrera, who is absorbing some heavy punishment... up until the referee stops the fight to tie up some of his loose binding. He needed that little break, but it is hard to see how he gets back into this fight.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 03:31 , Lawrence Ostlere
Isaac Cruz ups the tempo in rounds four and five, getting inside Cabrera’s rangey jab to land some solid blows. Cabrera’s nose is seeping with blood and he’s struggling to hand this change in pace.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 03:24 , Lawrence Ostlere
The first two rounds of this one have been pretty cagey, with the taller Giovanni Cabrera – who looks more like a model than a boxer – dancing on tip toes around the edge of the ring, escaping the Pitbull’s dangerous hooks.
Cabrera has probably edged what we’ve seen so far, which isn’t much, and his trainer Freddie Roach is telling him as much.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE – Cruz vs Cabrera
Sunday 30 July 2023 03:16 , Lawrence Ostlere
The final fight tonight before the main event is Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz vs Giovanni Cabrera.
The Mexican 25-year-old Cruz took Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 12 rounds before defeat and victory here is likely to get another shot at Davis.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 03:10 , Lawrence Ostlere
The build-up to this fight has been relatively good natured – the match-up does its own talking – and Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford left their press-conference crowd in laughter when they bickered over a ‘fishing’ analogy.
Spence Jr has a ‘big fish’ tattoo and has referred to himself as a shark throughout his career, something that Crawford tapped into during the second press conference for their long-awaited 29 July bout.
Crawford, 35, said on Wednesday (14 June): “I like to go fishing, everybody knows those are my hobbies. They’ve all been caught before, every last [opponent], and 29 July he’s gonna be caught, too. I’ve got a big enough hook for him, and I’m already reeling him in. I’m gonna put him on the bank, I’m gonna gut him, and I’m gonna filet him.”
Spence Jr, 33, replied: “Man, that’s [nonsense], he’s not catching me with no fishing pole. I’m the biggest. What would it look like catching Moby Dick with a fishing pole? Your a** better have a submarine.”
The meaning behind Terence Crawford’s ring gear in Errol Spence Jr clash
Sunday 30 July 2023 02:58 , Lawrence Ostlere
Terence Crawford’s confidence in beating Errol Spence Jr will be conveyed in his ring gear tonight when the Americans clash to crown an undisputed welterweight champion.
Crawford, 35, and Spence, 33, are both unbeaten ahead of their bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where Crawford’s WBO belt will be up for grabs, along with Spence’s WBC, WBA and IBF titles.
At the first press conference for this contest, deemed by many as the biggest fight in a decade, Crawford joked that he had already caught the ‘Big Fish’, as Spence refers to himself, and that all that was left was to ‘reel him in’. That concept has been carried across to Crawford’s ring gear, The Independent can confirm after getting an exclusive look at the outfit.
Read more:
The meaning behind Terence Crawford’s ring gear in Errol Spence Jr clash
Spence vs Crawford LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 02:46 , Lawrence Ostlere
At last. It has taken over five years to get Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr in the same ring for their wonderful fight in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
The old neon city has waited patiently for a fight like this, a fight without gimmicks, a fight with undefeated boxers and a fight that just had to happen. It might lack some of the stardust associated with the strip in Las Vegas, but it remains a fight for the ages.
Spence is unbeaten in 28, he holds the IBF, WBC and WBA welterweight titles; Crawford is unbeaten in 39 and he holds the WBO version. Crawford has also held world titles at lightweight and light-welterweight. Spence is 33, Crawford is 35, and they are the most perfect rivals in an imperfect sport. Spence crashed his car, suffered injuries, had a potential career-ending eye problem and Crawford was shot in the neck and left for dead before he took boxing seriously. They have a backstory or two, don’t worry.
The great Steve Bunce previews a fight for the ages:
The factor that could decide Spence vs Crawford super-fight
Spence vs Crawford LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 02:42 , Lawrence Ostlere
How have these two approached the biggest fight of their careers?
Errol Spence Jr: “Just because it’s a big fight, that doesn’t mean it isn’t just another day in the ring for me. I’ve been treating it as that, as far as my emotions and how I feel, but I’ve definitely been training hard and focused a lot more on my craft, my abilities, and my training. But when I wake up on the day of the fight, it’s gonna be another day in the office. [My first thought] will probably be what I’m gonna eat!”
Terence Crawford: “This fight week feels the same. It definitely feels bigger, but at the same time, in my mind it’s no different. I’m already pound-for-pound No 1, I feel. In my eyes, a win over Errol Spence Jr would just put me as undisputed, pound-for-pound No 1 in everybody’s eyes. There would be no debate.”
The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings
Sunday 30 July 2023 02:33 , Lawrence Ostlere
The boxing landscape is arguably as intriguing as it has ever been.
The past few years have seen heavyweight epics for the ages between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, they have seen Saul “Canelo” Alvarez establish himself as the face of the sport in the eyes of many fans, and they have seen frequent displays of technical brilliance from champions in lighter weight classes.
There have been upsets, title unifications, and there has been no shortage of drama – Anthony Joshua’s defeats by Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk standing out as prime examples.
All of these fights and results have factored into The Independent’s own top 10, pound-for-pound rankings for men’s boxers, to be updated monthly.
While there is no exact science to putting together lists such as this, a number of factors have been considered in making the rankings, including each fighter’s overall record, recent record, level of activity and calibre of opposition.
By our reckoning, Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr couldn’t be more closely matched:
The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings
Spence vs Crawford LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 02:20 , Lawrence Ostlere
How to watch fight online and on TV tonight – All you need to know ahead of one of the most-anticipated fights in years:
How to watch Spence vs Crawford online and on TV tonight
Terence Crawford wins coin toss with Errol Spence Jr to make key fight-night decision
Sunday 30 July 2023 02:08 , Lawrence Ostlere
Terence Crawford won a coin toss with Errol Spence Jr on Thursday, allowing “Bud” to make a key decision for tonight’s fight.
Crawford will carry the WBO welterweight title into the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, while Spence holds the WBC, WBA and IBF belts.
Both Americans are unbeaten and are among boxing’s biggest names, thus there was much debate around who would make their ring walk second and be introduced second in the ring. It was ultimately put to a coin toss at Thursday’s press conference, with Crawford, 35, winning out.
Terence Crawford wins coin toss with Errol Spence to make key fight-night decision
Errol Spence Jr lifts lid on Anthony Joshua’s training sessions in Dallas
Sunday 30 July 2023 01:58 , Lawrence Ostlere
Errol Spence Jr has revealed that Derrick James sometimes needs to rein in Anthony Joshua during training sessions, such is the heavyweight’s desire to keep learning.
Joshua parted ways with long-time coach Rob McCracken in 2022, before working with Robert Garcia in the lead-up to a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last August. The result was the same for “AJ”, however, as the Briton fell to a decision defeat by the Ukrainian, just as he had in 2021.
Joshua, 33, then switched coaches again this year, partnering with James ahead of an April bout with Jermaine Franklin. After training under James in Dallas, Joshua outpointed Franklin in London to get back to winning ways. And Joshua is now back in the US, preparing for an August rematch with Dillian Whyte, whom he knocked out in 2015.
Spence, a long-time pupil of James, has been training alongside Joshua ahead of tonight’s undisputed-title fight with Terence Crawford, and the unified welterweight champion told The Independent this week: “I never had any thoughts about him [in the past], but AJ’s a cool dude. He’s very cool, level-headed.
“He trains hard. Derrick has said to him to calm down or, ‘That’s enough for today,’ because he’s always trying to learn new things.”
Full story:
Errol Spence Jr lifts lid on Anthony Joshua’s training sessions in Dallas
Spence vs Crawford LIVE: Timings tonight
Sunday 30 July 2023 01:45 , Lawrence Ostlere
The main card is due to begin at 1am BST (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET), with ring walks for the main event expected at around 4am BST (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET).
Inside the phone calls that made Spence vs Crawford – a generational fight
Sunday 30 July 2023 01:29 , Lawrence Ostlere
Errol Spence Jr knew this time would be different. For the best part of five years, fans had debated what a fight between the two best welterweights of their generation would look like. Promoters had spoken in public and in private about whether fans would get a look at that fight at all. On more than one occasion, the contest seemed to be within grasp before drifting out of reach. But when Terence Crawford texted him, Spence Jr knew this time would be different.
“I think it really took us just getting on the phone, and talking to each other,” Spence told The Independent over Zoom, a week out from Saturday’s fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “It took us relaying different messages to each other about the negotiations, and basically me just giving him stuff that he wanted to make the fight happen. I didn’t really want much. The big obstacles were the [purse] split and the ring walk.”
Such obstacles could not have been overcome without Spence and his fellow American sharing a mutual respect, both fighters told The Independent, with Crawford saying on a call with other reporters: “You’ve got a lot of people that put on a little circus act and start going about things the wrong way – being disrespectful, taking it to another level that it doesn’t need to be taken to. Sometimes, you can’t come back from that.”
Full story and a great read by Alex Pattle on how this fight was made:
Inside the phone calls that made Spence vs Crawford
Spence vs Crawford LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 01:24 , Lawrence Ostlere
At the time the fight was announced, Errol Spence Jr claimed that this bout with Terence Crawford, “one of the biggest fights of the century”, may simply be a ‘one-sided a**-whooping’.
Spence Jr, 33, will enter the T-Mobile Arena as unified welterweight champion, while Crawford, 35, holds the WBO title. As such, an undisputed champion will emerge from their contest, as long as it does not end as a draw.
“Finally giving the fans what they want!” Spence Jr wrote on Instagram when the fight was announced. “This one [is] a throwback fight on paper but it could be a one sided a** whooping. One of the biggest fights of the century.”
Spence vs Crawford LIVE: How to watch
Sunday 30 July 2023 01:21 , Lawrence Ostlere
In the UK, the event will air live on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) pay-per-view, at a cost of £19.95. In the US, the card will be on Showtime pay-per-view, priced at $84.99.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE: Fightcard
Sunday 30 July 2023 01:12 , Lawrence Ostlere
Errol Spence (WBC, WBA, IBF champion) vs Terence Crawford (WBO champion) (welterweight)
Isaac Cruz vs Giovanni Cabrera (lightweight)
Nonito Donaire vs Alexandro Santiago (vacant WBC bantamweight title)
Yoenis Tellez vs Sergio Garcia (super-welterweight)
Steven Nelson vs Rowdy Montgomery (super-middleweight)
Jose Salas Reyes vs Aston Palicte (super-bantamweight)
Jabin Chollet vs Michael Portales (lightweight)
Justin Viloria vs Pedro Borgaro (super-featherweight)
Demler Zamora vs Nikolai Buzolin (lightweight)
Kevin Ventura vs DeShawn Prather (welterweight)
Spence vs Crawford LIVE
Sunday 30 July 2023 01:01 , Lawrence Ostlere
Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford square off in Las Vegas tonight in one of the biggest fights of this generation.
Fans have waited for this bout for years, and finally it has materialised, with the unbeaten Americans clashing on Saturday to crown an undisputed welterweight champion.
Spence, 33, is the WBC, WBA and IBF champion, while Crawford, 35, holds the WBO title. Spence will carry a professional record of 28-0 (22 knockouts) into the T-Mobile Arena, while Crawford is 39-0 (30 KOs).
Spence has not fought since April 2022, when he stopped Yordenis Ugas to collect the WBA belt, while Crawford most recently competed in December, retaining his title with a knockout of David Avanesyan.
Spence vs Crawford LIVE
Saturday 29 July 2023 23:03 , Lawrence Ostlere
Welcome along to live coverage of Errol Spence Jr vs Terence Crawford, the most highly anticipated fight of the year.
