Top Rated Terence Crawford Sues, Racism Claims Played a Role in His Inability to Be a PPV Star, Earns Nearly $10 Million in Losses

By: Hans Themistode

Terence Crawford has become scathing at the lack of big-name fighters willing to take on him in the ring. With the first-placed star finally getting his first game against Shawn Porter in November 2021, the last match of his contract with his old promotional outfit, Top Rank, Crawford has taken the lead. decided not to re-sign.

Among a long list of reasons why Crawford ultimately chose to leave was Arum’s inability to give him a bout against uniformedweight champion Errol Spence Jr.

“Bob can’t guarantee me a fight with Spence when I’m with him,” Crawford said after the 10th-minute injury-time win over Porter. “So how will he guarantee me the fight with Spence when I don’t have him? I’m moving forward with my career right now and I wish everyone the best. ”

Although Crawford enjoyed a long and fruitful career under the Top Rank banner, the star of the scale believes he was ultimately treated unfairly during his time with the company due to his color. his skin. As a result, Crawford is now seeking financial damages of nearly $10 million.

The New York Post, which initially reported on the pending lawsuit, obtained a copy of Crawford’s complaints and demands.

Bryan Freedom Crawford’s attorney said: “Crawford highlights systemic racism that extends past the Top Rated. “Top Rated is completely incapable of properly promoting Black warriors, and Top Rated, Arum and [his son-in-law] Todd DuBoef’s distinct treatment of black warriors, including Crawford. “

“Arum clearly allows his rebel racial prejudice to affect the fighters he is obligated to promote. For years, professional boxers and others in the sports world have called out Top Rated owner Bob Arum for his different treatment of black boxers, including including similar black boxers for whom Top Rated is contractually obligated to promote.

“Because this is boxing, a sport with a checkered history, and because Arum has now been dismissed as just a cranky old white man, Arum continues to make racist statements. and willfully and intentionally damage the reputation of black boxers without consequences.

“This is generally because the fighters affected, who are on long-term contracts with Top Rated, are afraid that if they speak up, they will be sidelined and have no chance to fight. for the duration of their agreement, this can be from 5 to 7 years. ”

“Obviously Top Rank, and Arum in particular, judge people based on their race. Arum’s bad history with athletes of color, especially Black boxers, and his bias in favor of white and Latino fighters is well-documented and well-known. worldwide boxing. “

“Arum made no secret of his deep-seated prejudice against Black warriors. For instance, he called legendary boxer Floyd Mayweather ‘soft’ and claimed that he ‘drives up’ – reinforcing a virulent racist stereotype with no basis in reality. economic.

“He frequently mocked rival boxing promoter Al Haymon – who is Black – and his relationship with black boxers, saying that Haymon would direct a black boxer from fighting Crawford for a sense of ‘brotherhood’.”

What’s more, Crawford has been outraged over years of belittling comments to Arum surrounding his star power. Although Arum has stated time and time again that he believes Crawford is the world’s greatest heavyweight boxer and the greatest boxer of all time, the longtime promoter has emphasized many times that Crawford not a pay-per-view star. In fact, Arum went as far as to say that he lost money per Crawford view due to their average count overall.

“[Arum] launched a smear campaign against Crawford to paint him as a needless, disinterested fighter who cannot appeal to viewers.

In fact, Top Rank, a company with no Black executives and only two or three Black employees, refuses to admit that they simply don’t care, support, or know how to motivate. push the Black warriors. Recently, while most businesses have become sensitive to issues of race and social justice, Top Rated has not.

“At a time when most businesses are taking steps to honor Black lives in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, Top Rank actually refuses to put the Black Lives Matter logo on the carpets of boxing rings. mine.

“Instead of standing behind a black boxer like Crawford, it openly criticizes him… Top Rank’s current smear campaign is deliberately punishing Crawford for being able to leave Top Rank by making it difficult for him. signed with a newer boxing promoter.”

“To be clear, Arum has never subjected any of his white warriors to this cruel and hateful treatment. Apparently, Arum felt he had an indefinite right to profit from Crawford and the other black warriors, and he would retaliate whenever they dared to assert his independence.

“In this act, Crawford seeks to correct the wrongs that Top Rank has caused him. Top Rank has repeatedly breached his contract with Crawford, and in fact deceived him from the very beginning into entering the arrangements. “

“Since Top Rated… will not police itself, do the right thing, and move forward as a responsible business in 2022, Crawford, who favors no one, will make them do so… Arum has made millions of dollars thanks to the support of boxers of color, including black shorts. His racist attitude pervades every aspect of his dealings with black boxers like Crawford. ”

Considering what Arum believed to be a close and personal relationship with Crawford, the 90-year-old was completely taken aback by the whole ordeal.

“I haven’t seen the lawsuit,” Arum said. “But it’s ridiculous.”