Future Hall of Famer Timothy Bradley was all of us when the news broke that, finally, Terence Crawford and Errol Spence will meet in one of the biggest fights that can be made in the sport.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Bradley, who will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame next month.
“Finally, both these guys are about to embark on one of the biggest fights of their careers.”
While Bradley said that currently plenty of people rank Crawford as their No. 1 pound for pound fighter in the world - Bradley ranks Inoue as his - the fight will have a bearing on rating the world’s best boxer.
“If Spence wins, there will be a new No. 1 pound-for-pound and if Crawford wins, there will be no doubt about it, he will be the first fighter in the four belt era to be undisputed in two weight classes. I’m stoked.It’s the fight I’ve been waiting for.”
Bradley is leaning towards Crawford based on the Nebraska star’s varied skills.
“Crawford is that guy and it gives him the opportunity to show his greatness,” Bradley added. “He [Crawford]’s 35-years-old and he lives like a spartan and takes care of himself very well.”
Spence is more of an unknown quantity for Bradley. Firstly there was the horrendous car accident that might have taken something out of him. Then there is inactivity, although Bradley conceded Spence looked “fantastic” against Yordenis Ugas.
Will Spence’s inactivity add a layer of preservation and make Spence fresher, or will Crawford’s talent and switching prove decisive?
“The rest could have been good for him [Spence],” Bradley continued. “It could be the perfect time for the fight. I wish it happened years ago but style-wise it’s a great match up with a lot of different intricacies. It’s not like Mayweather-Pacquiao style-wise. They match up perfectly. It’s a test of both guys' wills, it’s that type of fight, it’s all about heart. Both guys are after greatness and neither guy wants to lose.”
Bradley, perhaps with a nod to his own forthcoming induction, said the fight was a test of greatness.
“It’s a defining fight for Crawford’s career,” Bradley concluded. “No doubt he’s a Hall of Famer, but you’ve got to have that one defining fight that can take you above being a Hall of Famer and make you an all-time great.”
