Bob Arum has stated his belief that former 2-weight world champion, Terence Crawford is one of two boxers, pound-for-pound, atop of the rankings in the sport. The Hall-of-Fame promoter ranks Crawford and another of his charges, WBO super featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko, in a class by themselves among active boxers.
That said, Arum has suggested Crawford could now improve even further after relinquishing his undisputed jr welterweight title to explore avenues for success at 147 lbs.
“I know that he was struggling to make 140,” Arum told BoxingScene.com. “He had really a big problem making it for the last fight with Indongo [on August 19], although it didn’t look like that in the ring. But I know that there was a question up until the actual weigh-in whether he would make weight. And he still fought the way that he did. He’s an incredible talent.”
I'm so hungry for this 147 division I can't wait to get in there again.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) November 5, 2017
Arum has previously expressed his opinion that Crawford against the unbeaten IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. (22-0, 19 KOs) is the biggest possible matchup in the welterweight division. Arum would have no qualms about making such a match and even suggested Crawford can perform even better now that he won’t struggle as much to make weight as a 147-pounder.
“I really believe that,” Arum said. “Trust me, he had to struggle. When he went from 135 to 140, it was easy. Then, as you get older, it’s tougher and tougher to shed those pounds. So I think he’ll be much stronger and certainly much happier at 147.”
Crawford is mandatory contender for Jeff Horn. Fight will have to be arranged within 90 days after Horn next optional defense. pic.twitter.com/8IAUaSjv3v
— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) October 26, 2017
After confirming his intention to campaign at the welterweight limit, Crawford was installed as the WBO’s mandatory challenger to champion Jeff Horn, after claiming the organization’s title in both the lightweight and super lightweight division. Horn makes the first defence of his title against Britain’s Gary Corcoran and then is widely expected to agree to a title defence against ‘Bud’ Crawford.
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