Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. are well aware of what will be at stake when they meet on pay-per-view Saturday from Las Vegas.
The winner will become the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era and the heir to Floyd Mayweather as the best 147-pounder. Crawford, a three-division titleholder, could become the first man to be “undisputed” in two weight classes.
Crawford and Spence also are near the top of every pound-for-pound list, Crawford No. 1 and Spence No. 4 on Boxing Junkie’s. The winner could argue that he is the best fighter in the world, particularly if he wins convincingly.
In short, the man who has his hand raised will be able to make a strong case that he’s a great fighter.
“It would mean a lot to be undisputed,” Spence said at a news conference Thursday, in effect speaking for both himself and Crawford. “It would mean that I’m one of the greatest welterweights to ever lace up a pair of gloves.”
He believes he already is one of the greatest. So does Crawford.
They’ve made that clear by their confidence leading up to the fight at T-Mobile Arena. And why wouldn’t they believe in themselves? Neither has lost a fight as a professional. In fact, the last time either failed to win was in 2012, when Spence was eliminated in the Olympics.
They both can do it all in the ring, as they’ve demonstrated over and over again. They know what they’re capable of.
Neither is brash by nature. At the same time, they aren’t afraid to say what they believe is the truth.
“He’s gonna find out the same thing that everyone else finds out,” Crawford said. “He’s gonna say that on TV I look one way. In the ring he’s gonna be seeing three of me. … They say he’s the big bad wolf, but come fight night we’re gonna find out if he’s all that he says he is. He’s gonna have to show me. …
“Everything about me is better than Errol. When you look at what I do in the ring, it’s better than what he does. Come fight night, I’m going to prove every doubter wrong. I’m going to show that I’m the best fighter in the world.
“This is the Terence Crawford era. When you look at my body of work in each weight class, you can’t deny that. This is my era. I’ve never had a close fight. I’ve never had a fight where people thought I lost. I’ve looked spectacular every time.”
Spence said the same thing in different words.
“I’m gonna win because I’m the better fighter,” he said. “I’m better physically and mentally. I’m more durable. I’m gonna break him down and break his will. … He’s gonna find out that my skills are superior.
“He’s talented, but when we talk about what my coach teaches, he’s gonna see that I have great offense, defense and stamina. It’s more than just talent.”
Of course, someone will turn out to be wrong barring a draw or something unforeseen.
Only one thing seems certain going into arguably the most anticipated fight since Mayweather took on fellow superstar Manny Pacquiao in 2015.
“This,” Spence said, “is gonna be legendary.”
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