Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr.: 15 numbers that provide some perspective
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.
1 and 4
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.
67-0
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.
23-0
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.
17-0
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.
2012
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.
52
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.
10
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.
2016
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.
2
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.
134¼
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.
146¼
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.
15
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.
1½
Spence’s height advantage over Crawford in inches. Spence is 5-9½, Crawford 5-8.
2
Crawford’s reach advantage over Spence in inches. Crawford has a 74-inch reach, Spence 72.
34
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.
