Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford will lace up and face off to crown the best welterweight – and perhaps fighter – in the world on July 29 in Las Vegas.
Both champions – Crawford the WBO and Spence the WBA, IBF and WBC – have dominated in their campaigns, going unbeaten against the division’s best but, until now, not managed to meet in the ring themselves.
That will all change this month, and the boxing world is rife with predictions as to what might happen. Whilst multiple-belt, two-division world champion, Bernard Hopkins, can’t pick a winner, he can foresee one thing.
Speaking to FightHype.com, Hopkins predicted controversy if both men hear the final bell, and said that he does not envy the judges come fight night.
“This fight can go down easily controversial. Based on who did less, who did more, what fans might say, what the judge might say.
If this fight goes the distance, I wouldn’t wanna be the judge. Bernard Hopkins wouldn’t wanna be the judge – it’s that damn close.”
The pair have 52 stoppages between them, but will be facing the toughest test of their career come July 29. For that reason, a distance fight certainly isn’t out of the question. Still, predictions of early finishes are easily justified. Why?
Crawford was last taken the full twelve in 2016 by Viktor Postol, and has scored ten straight stoppages since.
Spence had a run of three decision wins – Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia – over 2019 and 2020 before adding a 22nd knockout to his record against Yordenis Ugas last year.
Should it indeed go to the scorecards, it’s unlikely to be a shutout and, as per Hopkin’s prediction, could spark some serious debate. Luckily for fans and the loser on the night, there’s a two-way rematch clause in the contract ready to be activated.