For the most part, fans weren’t too invested in the contractual status of Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford.
After waiting years for the two pound-for-pound stars to get it on, most were simply happy that their longtime rivalry was finally coming to an end. With that said, there were a few surface-level details that were revealed, such as a bilateral rematch clause as well as a possible new weight class for their possible sequel.
Initially, it was announced that the winner of their first showdown would have the right to choose whether or not the rematch would take place at 147 pounds or 154. After dishing out a one-sided beatdown on July 29th, Crawford evidently wielded all of the power. The now 35-year-old toyed with Spence at times before eventually stopping him in the ninth round.
Immediately after, Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) despondently walked up to the post-fight podium and gave Crawford his flowers. He also was a bit hopeful that Crawford would allow their rematch to take place at 154 pounds.
Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) was a good sport about it. He didn’t dig his feet into the dirt and refuse to acquiesce to Spence’s weight request. Over the past few days, however, it seemed as though Crawford went back on his word.
After Spence officially activated his rematch clause, Steven “So Cold” Nelson, Crawford’s good friend, training partner, and super middleweight contender, disclosed that Crawford requested for their sequel to take place at 147 pounds in the hopes that Spence wouldn’t accept.
Crawford though, was mostly quiet about the entire ordeal – until recently. According to the newly crowned undisputed champion, he isn’t in control of anything. And, if Spence wants to get it on at a higher weight, he knows exactly what to do.
“Well the contract states that either one or the other gotta notify in writing that he can no longer make the weight,” said Crawford on Weighing In with Travis Hartman. “If not, the fight will be at 47.”
With the ball ostensibly in Spence’s court, Crawford doesn’t understand why weight has become the main topic of conversations. Although Spence has seemingly washed his hands of 147 pounds and will look to resume his career at 154, Crawford, at least to his knowledge, has been kept in the dark.
To Crawford, their contractual agreement is unambiguous. So while Spence may want their rematch to take place at 154 pounds, team Crawford hasn’t been given any official notification of anything.
“The contract states that it has to go at 47 since neither I nor Errol notified each other saying that we can’t make the weight.”
By Hans Themistode