For the higher a part of the previous 5 years, each Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. haven’t solely protruded towards the highest of the welterweight division, however they’ve additionally established themselves as arguably the 2 greatest fighters on the planet.
Because the years quietly flew by, followers fulminated over who would win if the 2 settled their promotional variations and met within the ring. In the end, with Crawford turning into the primary man to cease former two-time welterweight champion, Shawn Porter, in November of 2021, his contractual ties to Bob Arum’s Prime Rank instantly expired.
With all roads seemingly cleared, the 2 engaged in what seemed to be promising conversations. Nonetheless, whereas followers started envisioning their all-out struggle, they have been left despondent as Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) not too long ago introduced that he’s left the negotiating desk and can as an alternative tackle fringe contender, David Avanesyan, on December tenth.
Though the boxing world was initially upset by the fallout, they have been shocked by Crawford’s selection of opponent. Even with the pound-for-pound star praising Avanesyan as a troublesome out, followers throughout the globe have begun to query why the unheralded slugger out of Tabynskoe, Russia, is being afforded this chance when undefeated rising contenders in Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr., have begged for a crack at his WBO crown.
In Crawford’s opinion, nonetheless, the reply to these overarching questions is an extremely easy one.
“Them names by no means got here up,” mentioned Crawford not too long ago on his Instagram Dwell. “I’d’ve fought these names in a heartbeat.”
Within the case of Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs), the 25-year-old hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has made it abundantly clear that he would bounce on the alternative to face both Spence or Crawford. Earlier this yr, within the co-main slot on Might 14th, the switch-hitting younger star registered his nineteenth consecutive stoppage victory, doing so towards Custio Clayton.
However whereas he presently sits within the quantity two slot within the WBO sanctioning physique, Ortiz (19-0, 19 KOs) is holding agency to the primary place. The 24-year-old damaging pressure continued his cataclysmic methods earlier this yr, stopping the beforehand undefeated Michael McKinson.
With Ortiz bellyaching over his must problem Crawford for his WBO trinket, the newly turned 35-year-old revealed that, contemplating his lofty standing, he’ll don’t have any challenge placating the needs of both Ortiz or Ennis.
“Come on man, I’m the very best fighter on the planet. Who you suppose I’m? Who you suppose I’m? I’m the very best fighter on the planet. I all the time fought my mandatories. I ain’t by no means ducked my mandatories.”