Terence Crawford to leave iconic Top Rank promotion and eyes Errol Spence Jr super-fight after Shawn Porter win
TERENCE CRAWFORD announced he will leave Top Rank – and is eyeing a super-fight with Errol Spence Jr.
The American superstar saw at the final bout in his deal with legendary promoter Bob Arum, with a stoppage over Shawn Porter.
In the post-fight press conference, with Arum sat next to him, Crawford confirmed he was moving on.
He said: “I’m pretty sure my decision is made already.
“Bob couldn’t secure me the Spence fight when I was with him, so how is he gonna secure me the Spence fight when I’m not with him?
“I’m moving forward with my career right now and I wish everybody the best.”
Spence, 31, was ringside to watch former opponent Porter, 34, lose in round ten after two knockdowns.
Crawford, 34, responded: “He was at my fight? That boy said he would never come to my fight but now he’s at my fight.
“You saw what I did compared to what he did [against Porter]. Who’s No1 in the welterweight division now?
“You all know who I want. I’ve been calling him out. Maybe I’ll go up to 154lbs. Maybe Spence Jr will fight me.”
Unified champion Spence beat Porter on points in 2019 and also has wins over Kell Brook, 34, Mikey Garcia, 33 and Danny Garcia, 33.
Whereas Crawford is a three-division king and claims to be the true welterweight ruler.
He said: “I don’t need Spence Jr. I’ve been the No 1 guy in the division since I came here.
“I’m a three-weight world champion, and undisputed world champion, I came to the welterweight division and won a title in my first fight.”
You all know who I want. I’ve been calling him out. Maybe I’ll go up to 154lbs. Maybe Spence Jr will fight me.
Terence Crawford
Spence was set to return in August against Manny Pacquiao, 42, defending his WBC and IBF titles.
But he suffered an eye injury in sparring and underwent surgery, with Yordenis Ugas, 35, replacing him to beat now-retired Pacquiao.
Spence confirmed plans to fight again early next year as he continues his recovery.
He told EsNEWS: “Everybody has got to wait. I’m coming back with a big one. When I’ll be back, it’s going to be a big one.
“I’ll be at 147 still. Hopefully, I’ll be fighting again in February or March. We’ll see.”