The never-announced rematch between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. will apparently no longer go through according to sports reporter Dan Rafael who revealed the news during an interview with famed American sports television presenter Stephen A. Smith. While it was reported last August that Spence had activated a rematch clause following his July 29th loss to Crawford, the two teams have apparently decided to go their separate ways due to “various reasons”, as Rafael revealed.
Dan Rafael provided no particularly deep or surprising reason as to why he believed the rematch was off between Terence Crawford (40-0, 31 KO’s) and Errol Spence Jr. (28-1, 22 KO’s), but did allude to the recent cataracts surgery that Spence had as one of the primary causes of the rematch allegedly being cancelled.
“Crawford is now aligned with PBC, and it seems the rematch with Errol Spence is not going to take place for a variety of reasons, including the fact that Errol is on the sidelines after recently having [had] cataracts surgery.” Rafael told Stephen A. Smith during an appearance on the Stephen A. Smith Show.
To note, it is unclear how closely Crawford is aligned with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), as it was only reported that he signed a contract to face Errol Spence Jr. in what was supposed to be a two-match deal between the two. Given the rematch will purportedly no longer occur there is every reason to suggest that Crawford is now a free agent.
No further details about this cancellation were provided, but presumably the rematch clause may have included a deadline which might have expired. With the particulars of this rematch clause not having been unveiled to the public, only speculation can serve to fill the gap of information that has apparently resulted in the cancellation of this rematch.
Though neither Crawford or Spence have yet breathed a word on this revelation, Spence’s recent cataracts surgery may be the leading cause to the reason the fight will not be happening. Further explanations for this possible cancellation can be deduced by the low interest in the rematch due to the one-sided affair that occurred in the first match which saw Crawford dominate Spence thoroughly prior to stopping him.
Terence Crawford can now move ahead with his career and has at least one name that appears to be interested; Jaron “Boots” Ennis (31-0, 28 KO’s) who is currently the IBF welterweight champion. Staging a fight with him would be for undisputed given Crawford still holds the WBA, WBC and WBO titles, which should provide plenty of incentive for the two to enter the ring.
The confusion surrounding Crawford suddenly being stripped of his IBF title, which subsequently fell into Ennis’ hands because Crawford was obligated to his rematch with Spence, also provides an interesting narrative that can play a vital role in the promotion of a fight between Crawford and Ennis.
However, Crawford has not yet openly or clearly indicated interest in fighting Ennis. Though Ennis initiated a psuedo-callout towards Crawford several weeks ago by urging him to “send a contract”, neither fighter have acutely shown interest in fighting each other; despite both fighters not currently having a fight planned for themselves in the near future.
It therefore remains to be seen what the cards hold for Crawford and Ennis. While Crawford has expressed a willingness to face Canelo Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KO’s), Dan Rafael disputed the notion of this fight occurring.
“Canelo [Alvarez] is not the one that’s been out there shouting about wanting to fight Terence Crawford,” Rafael explained.
“As a matter of fact, you look at any of the public statements he has made to any number of media outlets, he has never said he was interested in fighting Crawford. That’s come more from other people and speculation.“
Dan Rafael further asserted from a competitive standpoint that Alvarez had plenty of other opponents to fight in his own weight class.
“If you did offer that [Alvarez-Crawford fight], from a commercial point of view, I get it―because it’s boxing,” Rafael said.
“But in the spot of May [2024], you have a plethora of available and quality guys who are legit active 168-pounders.“
Canelo Alvarez is currently still the undisputed super middleweight champion but despite David Benavidez (28-0, 24 KO’s) having recently emerged as the most worthy contender in the division and currently in grasp of the WBC interim 168 lbs title while simultaneously being known as the WBC mandatory challenger, there has been no move on Alvarez’ front to engage with the American contender.
Even the WBC itself has not yet ordered a fight between the two, despite last year revealing that the winner of the November 25th bout between David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade (32-1, 19 KO’s) would become the mandatory challenger to Canelo Alvarez’ WBC title.
