Terence Crawford made it clear to me that his primary focus is on Israil Madrimov, whom he’ll face on Aug 3 at the BMO Center in Los Angeles.
However, when I had an opportunity to speak with him on Wednesday, July 10, I had to ask him about a potential rematch with Errol Spence Jr. “The possibility is there,” Crawford said. “He’s [Spence] fighting [Sebastian] Fundora for his title(s) (WBO and WBC). I’m fighting for a title (Madrimov’s WBA regular 154-pound title), and there is the possibility. He wins his fight–God willing–and I win my fight, God willing, and there’s the possibility.”
Crawford talked about his upcoming fight with Madrimov, a Spence rematch, his interest in fighting Canelo Alvarez and he weighed in on Shakur Stevenson’s situation. You can watch the entire interview in the video below.
In a significant match in July 2023, Crawford emerged victorious over Spence via ninth-round TKO, claiming the undisputed welterweight title.
The anticipated automatic rematch at 154 pounds, however, did not come to fruition. Crawford has begun working with Turkii Alalshikh and Riyadh Season. His fight with Madrimov will serve as the main event for the Saudi group’s first stateside boxing show.
Spence moved to challenge Fundora as the latter became a hot ticket after he pulled an upset win over Tim Tszyu to capture his share of the 154-pound crown, stepping in on short notice for an injured Keith Thurman earlier this year.
At one point, Crawford and Spence were both vying for an opportunity to fight Fundora, but the Dallas native got the fight in his hometown in October. If Spence manages to defeat Fundora and secures the WBO and IBF champion titles at 154 pounds, he would hold titles that Crawford is likely eyeing.
With a rematch clause in their initial contract, there is a possibility that Crawford feels there is unfinished business to settle against Spence. Because Crawford dominated the first meeting, he would enter a prospective rematch as a significant favorite.
Crawford scored two knockdowns against Spence before the one-sided beating was mercifully stopped.
The only question remaining ahead of a potential Crawford-Spence rematch is whether the latter will be a different fighter competing at 154 pounds. The weight cut seemed to impact both fighters at this stage of their careers, but Spence looked the most worst for wear at the weigh-ins and even during the fight.
How much of Spence’s performance should be attributed to the weight cut, and how much was about a disadvantage in skill? Provided both fighters win their next bouts, we will probably get an opportunity to find out.
