By: Hans Themistode
For years now, Terence Crawford has expressed his desire to take on current IBF/WBC belt holder Errol Spence Jr.
Although Crawford has repeatedly said he is continuing his career and leaving a match with Spence Jr behind him, the current WBO belt holder has begun publicly calling him out once again.
Under normal circumstances, title holders are not ranked in the ranks of other sanctioning bodies. However, Crawford is now begging the IBF to move him into mandatory post following the recent loss of Kudratillo Abdukakhorov.
“Can you force me to be 147 so I can see something,” Crawford asked.
Abdukakhorov, 28, is considered the top IBF contender at 147 pounds. However, the Uzbek-born player unexpectedly received his first defeat of his career last night at Dignity Health Sports Park, in Carson, California against Cody Crowley.
Early on, it looked like Abdukakhorov was on his way to the office early one night. The 28-year-old dominated the opening round and would then score an impressive knockdown in the second round. However, Crowley would regroup, destroying his men before delivering a decisive unanimous victory.
Now, with Abdukakhorov on the verge of relegation, Crawford is looking to replace him. Indigenous Omaha Nebraska was last seen in the ring just a few weeks ago two-time title winner Shawn Porter. Though both men will fight evenly for most of the first half of their contest, Crawford made it through before finally being his man in the tenth round.
While Crawford wants nothing more than to dethrone Spence Jr., it is likely that Jaron Ennis will now be elevated to number one. The explosive Philadelphia-born player is now third in the sanctioning body. However, with the recent loss of Abdukakhorov and with the number two spot now empty, Ennis appears ready and willing to go one step further to fight for his first world title.
As for Spence Jr., the 31-year-old continues his recovery following surgery on his right eye to correct the torn/separated retina that forced him to withdraw from a match against Manny Pacquiao earlier this year.
