What next for Terence Crawford after WBA confirm Ugas-Spence unification?
- Joe Hewlett
- 27 December 2021
Crawford is looking for a career-defining fight and was hoping to secure a unification bout against long-time rival Errol Spence Jr.
Any hope of Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford fighting next is dead after it was confirmed the former will face Yordenis Ugas.
The WBA have approved the unification bout after Eimantas Stanionis, Ugas' mandatory challenger, agreed to step aside.
It now means it is unclear as to who Crawford will face after making Spence his top target.
Ugas said: "Thanks to the WBA for doing the right thing. It is an award for my dedication, and for being a brave man in and out of the ring.
"I will be fighting one of the best [pound-for-pound]. I'm a warrior. First Cuban fighting for three belts one night."
#SpenceUgas Thanks to the WBA for doing the right thing. It is an award for my dedication,and for being a brave man in and out of the ring. I will be fighting one of the best pxp. Im a warrior.First Cuban fighting three belts one night.Thanks all the fans who asked for this fight pic.twitter.com/tQFwMMPntg
— Yordenis Ugas (@YordenisUgas) December 19, 2021
Ugas is open to taking on Crawford after Spence - if he wins - to determine an undisputed champion at 147lbs in 2022.
Spence was expected to face Manny Pacquiao in the summer only to pull out with an eye injury. Ugas replaced the American and outpointed the boxing icon to win the WBA belt.
Crawford impressed in his last bout, becoming the first fighter to stop two-time world champion Shawn Porter.
After his win, "Bud" was asked about a unification clash against Spence.
"He was at my fight? That boy said he would never come to my fight but now he's at my fight," Crawford said.
"You saw what I did compared to what he did [against Porter]. Who's No 1 in the welterweight division now?
"You all know who I want. I've been calling him out. Maybe I'll go up to 154lbs. Maybe Spence Jr will fight me."
What next for Crawford?
When it comes to fighters at welterweight, Crawford and Spence are the only two considered to be at an elite level.
Ugas may have won a world title, and impressed in previous fights including a controversial defeat to Shawn Porter, but he is only in the conversation because he beat a 42-year-old Pacquiao.
Crawford wants big fights against the best fighters in the world so it is unlikely he would be willing to step in against a fighter like Danny Garcia or Mikey Garcia.
It leaves him with very little options at 147lbs unless Josh Taylor moves up after his mandatory defence against Jack Catterall at junior welterweight.
Taylor has expressed his interest in fighting the three-division world champion and a showdown between two of boxing's Pound for Pound best is a mouth-watering clash.
Crawford, who was also undisputed champion before Taylor at 140lbs, has also teased fans about a move to junior middleweight.
Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano are expected to collide in a rematch next year.
The pair, who fought for all four major world titles, drew their previous contest. Would Crawford fancy his chances of fighting the winner to become a four-division world champion?
Either way, a move to 154lbs or a battle with Taylor seems to be the two standout options for a fighter who seems to get avoided more and more as the years continue.
