Terence Crawford is expected to return to the ring in the near future following his sensational win over Errol Spence Jr last year, but a surprise twist has been revealed ahead of his next fight.
The 36-year-old cemented his place as one of the pound-for-pound superstars with his one-sided stoppage win over Spence last July to become undisputed welterweight champion.
The fight included a rematch clause with Spence exercised, but after undergoing cataract surgery last month, it appears that ‘Bud’ is now going to head in another direction.
It has now been reported by Mike Coppinger of ESPN that the failure to enforce the rematch means that Crawford is no longer obliged to have his next fight with PBC.
“Crawford signed a one-fight deal with PBC to meet Errol Spence last July, and after “Bud” won the undisputed welterweight championship, Spence exercised the rematch clause.
“However, Spence underwent cataract surgery in January and the scheduling window provided by the rematch clause has since expired, meaning Crawford, like Canelo, is also a network and promotional free agent.”
Crawford being a free agent means there are a number of other options available to the Omaha man, as he looks to secure his next fight.
A return to Top Rank to fight on ESPN could be on the cards, where ‘Bud’ spent the majority of his career, before leaving to face Spence, but the bad blood that followed between Crawford and Bob Arum after his departure could make that extremely unlikely.
Teaming up with Matchroom Boxing or Golden Boy Promotions could also be a possibility, while the door remains open for Crawford to strike a new deal and continue working with PBC.
He is the latest fighter to become a free agent after working with PBC, with Canelo Alvarez set to depart just one fight into his three-fight deal.