Errol Spence Jr., the undefeated WBC, WBA, and IBF Welterweight World Champion, showcased his talent in Las Vegas ahead of his highly anticipated showdown against WBO Welterweight World Champion Terence "Bud" Crawford, this came one day after Crawford's media workout that took place also in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight which will be a pay-per-view attraction on Saturday, July 29, in a Premier Boxing Champions event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, has seen a contrast in personalities.
Spence will look to become the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era, and not just be one of the best fighters of his era, but have his name mentioned amongst great welterweight Texans such as three-belt undisputed Donald Curry and the first fighter from Texas to be undisputed, Curtis Cokes. In the build-up to the bout, Spence has talked about the legacy of his career, and what defeating the best welterweight of his era, Crawford, would do for his legacy as this fight determines who was the best welterweight since Floyd Mayweather.
"When you see all the legends of the sport, they fought each other and made historic fights," said Spence at his media workout this afternoon. "Terence [Crawford] is one of the best fighters in the world and I’m one of the best fighters in the world, so we had to make this happen."
Though Spence has taken shots at Crawford especially when looking at his resume, he did admit Crawford is a formidable opponent. The type of challenge ahead of him seems to be the one that faced the legends mentioned prior to their moment of defining themselves as the best of their era. Spence is putting it all on the line. This one fight or possibly a series of fights will define his legacy not unlike the way Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev's legacies were viewed much differently after their two bouts.
“I don’t think there’s anyone I fought who’s similar to Terence Crawford," said Spence. "His style is different from anybody else. I don’t think Sugar Ray Leonard fought anyone like Tommy Hearns until he fought Tommy, and vice versa. That’s what happens in these historic fights.”
Spence, who completed his media workout with Derrick James, his longtime trainer right next to him, as well as his father, Errol Spence Sr., who held the water for Spence for the majority of his workout. James put into context how much this moment means to Spence, as well as those who want to see him do well.
“This means everything. From the moment Errol turned pro, he said what he wanted to do," said Derrick James, Spence's Coach. "There were so many steps he had to take to get to this point, and now there’s just one more step to take. Being undisputed champion is everything he wanted."
Spence summed up these words that James had echoed in the first words of his quotes from the media event as well.
“This is what I’ve worked for my whole career," said Spence. "I want to be that undisputed welterweight champion of the world and I’m excited to go up against a great opponent like Terence Crawford to accomplish that."
While Spence is looking to get the respect that he feels he has never gotten, Spence Jr. looks to be chasing legacy and greatness in another capacity. Spence has set goals and achieved them, and his last goal is to become the undisputed welterweight champion. In Spence's mind, the winner of this fight is the best fighter in the world currently.
“I’ve been feeling the buzz for this fight," said Spence. "Anywhere I go they’ve been asking me about this fight. I knew I had to make it happen. This is what everyone wanted. We have to prove who the man is in the welterweight division and in boxing. The winner of this fight is the best fighter in boxing period."
