By: Hans Themistode
Like most people, Eddie Hearn was simply scared every time Terence Crawford stepped foot in the ring. The former three-weight world champion and the reigning WBO weight-division champion either outplayed his opponent before coming to a unanimous decision or ended up breaking them round after round to win victory over violence.
Most recently, Crawford had the most impressive victory of his career, which was a tenth round knock-out win over former two-time welterweight champion, Shawn Porter. As Crawford completed the final game of his Top Rated contract, the 34-year-old revealed that he would not be re-signing with the advertising agency and would instead act as a self-made agent. due during this time.
Although Hearn believes Crawford is one of the best boxers in the world, he is reluctant to approach the weight star with an endorsement deal. While the longtime promoter never had a close connection with Crawford, he watched from afar as Top Rated failed to help Crawford become the kind of big-name fight he truly aspired to.
As Hearn carefully peaks through his own steady 147 pounders, he sees the signing of Crawford as a signing that will come more sour than quick.
“There are very few battles for him. About the money he wants, about the legacy he wants. It really comes down to Errol Spence and maybe one or two others,” Hearn told FightHype.com. “If you can’t give him those battles, which is the boat we’re in and the Top Rated boat is in, what can you give him with? So the battles may not appeal to fans, the battles don’t necessarily have much value. Unless you can give him the big fights, I’m not sure there will be a part for you in his career. But he’s a great fighter, a great fighter, and we’ll see what happens. ”
Though Hearn admits his Matchroom stables won’t provide Crawford with the kind of legacy-defining fighting the 34-year-old causes, he does have one of the best 147-pound youngsters in the world when it comes to football. 25 years old. Conor Benn.
However, if Hearn somehow gets Crawford to sign his promotional apparel, the UK-based advertiser won’t be alarmed to see Benn in the ring with the WBO title.
“In the end, Conor Benn probably still has another year before he fights those elites. I think people still believe that Conor Benn is beatable while they don’t necessarily think Terence Crawford can be beaten. Conor Benn is in a great position, he’s a huge draw but he still has two or three skirmishes before he’s at that level. ”
With Top Rank and Division unable to secure Crawford against the elites of the heavyweight division, Hearn sees an alliance with the top Boxing Champion as the most logical move for Crawford. Currently, unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., WBA champion Yordenis Ugas, former unified weight champion Keith Thurman, and a long list of others have signed with PBC.
In Hearn’s opinion, Crawford can and should probably add his name to the long list of elite 147-pounder athletes signed by the PBC.
“Sometimes people make it look like you have to be with some promoter to get those wars. I think it’s a problem with boxing in general. But I think unless he signs with PBC, I don’t really think he will get those fights. Maybe that’s the route he has to take.”
