Terence Crawford calls out Errol Spence following round 10 stoppage win

Terence Crawford made history in his own right by becoming the first and only man to stop Shawn Porter in his career in an exciting bout in Las Vegas.

Crawford floored Porter twice in round 10 before trainer and father Kenny Porter decided to throw in the towel to stop the fight and retained his WBO welterweight title. Crawford picked up what would be seen as the biggest win of his career.

Embed from Getty Images

Following his win, Crawford said ‘’ he wanted to maul and push me back I did it back to him’’

‘’ I figured out in round one that I would win because I had the reach’’

‘’Shawn Porter is a good fighter, but I knew when I dropped him with the uppercut and then again that his dad would stop it’’.

‘’ I will fight whoever wants it next, everyone knows who I want’’.

Embed from Getty Images

Current welterweight champion Errol Spence was watching the bout at ringside with Crawford calling him out as his next fight in a much-anticipated fight that many boxing experts and fans have been calling out for.

Following their fight reporters questioned Porter on his assessment of both fighters having shared a ring with them. Shawn Porter said: “The fight with Errol Spence Jr which went 12 rounds was not as tough as the fight with Terence Crawford”.

“There’s no doubt that man hit me more than anybody I’ve been in the ring with. This message will send a warning signal to Spence fans but a bout that many will see as a 50/50 match-up. However, the recent injuries sustained by Spence and car accident will put doubt in some people’s eyes in whether he is still the fighter previously tipped as the pound to pound number one. Spence Jr was left in critical condition after a car crash in 2019. This year he was forced to withdraw from facing Manny Pacquiao due to a serious eye injury, and he has no comeback scheduled yet but did confirm to ESPN he’s looking for a comeback in early 2022.

Crawford leaving Top Rank

Following the fight, there was a major announcement by Crawford who told reporters he would not be renewing his promotional contract with Bob Arum’s top rank. With Arum sitting next to him in the press conference Crawford said ‘’ I’m pretty sure my decision is made already.

“Bob couldn’t secure me the Spence fight when I was with him, so how is he gonna secure me the Spence fight when I’m not with him?

“I’m moving forward with my career right now and I wish everybody the best’’.

Embed from Getty Images

Many boxing insiders have previously cited boxing politics as the reasons why the Spence Crawford the fight has never been made with both promotions protecting their priced asset. Porter was seen as the first top-level opponent on his resume ever since he’s been with top rank.

Even when questioned about the potential fight Arum shot it down and suggested there were more lucrative fights for Crawford than the Spence bout. Arum had suggested Josh Taylor could be the next opponent before Bud Crawford announced he would be leaving top rank.  What exactly happens next is still unclear, but Crawford left no debate about where he currently stands.

There will be many promoters looking at signing Crawford who will now be a free agent. However, he may decide to follow in Canelo Alvarez’s footpath by not being tied down to one promoter and being able to choose who he fights. The departure from top rank is surely going to make the Spence fight a bit easier to make now.

Embed from Getty Images

Shawn Porter retires following defeat

Embed from Getty Images

Porter decided to call it an end to his career at the age of 34 following the defeat to Crawford. ‘’ I’m prepared to retire. I was prepared to announce my retirement tonight win, lose or draw’’.  Porter has had a great career in boxing and walks away at the right time. Many fighters have always had one more fight and struggle to hang those gloves up. Porter seemingly has a lot lined up post-fighting career. He is one of the boxing analysts for PBC and Showtime as well as having his own podcast show.

Following the bout, Porter’s father and trainer Kenny said ‘’he didn’t prepare like I wanted him to prepare in that situation’’. He leaves the sport as a two-time world welterweight champion who always fought against the elite. Fans were never left disappointed with Porter always producing high energy and exciting fights.