Kell Brook tells Terence Crawford that Errol Spence Jr ‘can get hurt’ ahead of ‘incredible’ fight
Kell Brook has claimed that Errol Spence Jr “can get hurt” ahead of his “incredible” fight against Terence Crawford this weekend.
Terence Crawford is an undefeated three-division world champion who has held the WBO welterweight title since 2018.
The American previously unified the junior welterweight division, winning all four major world titles (WBA Super, WBC, IBF and WBO) in 2017 as well as possessing WBO and Ring and lineal status at lightweight.
Crawford became the first undisputed champion at 140-pounds since Kostya Tszyu in 2004 and is the first male fighter to hold four world titles simultaneously since Jermain Taylor in 2005.
"Bud" has made five title defences at welterweight since beating Australian Jeff Horn with victories over Jose Benavidez Jr., Amir Khan, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, Kell Brook and Shawn Porter.
He is regarded as one of boxing's Pound for Pound best and has been hailed for his ability to switch-hit from orthodox to southpaw.
Following his victory over Porter, Crawford named one opponent and one opponent only - Errol Spence Jr.
"He was at my fight? That boy said he would never come to my fight but now he's at my fight," Crawford said after beating Porter.
Crawford's first world title challenge saw him travel across the pacific to face WBO lightweight titlist Ricky Burns in Scotland.
Despite being the away fighter, it was a comfortable night's work for Crawford, who won on the cards (117-111 and 116-112 twice). Crawford's second bout of 2014 saw him overcome former unified featherweight champion and 2004 Olympic gold-medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa.
The bout took place in Omaha, Nebraska, in front of more than 10,000 people. It was the second world title fight to take place in the state with the previous being Joe Frazier's successful heavyweight defence against Ron Stander. Crawford defeated Gambao via ninth-round stoppage.
Crawford became a two-division world champion in 2015 with victory over Thomas Dulmore at junior lightweight before unifying the division two fights later against Viktor Postol.
Following another two defences at 140-pounds, Crawford won all four major world titles with a sensational stoppage of Julius Indongo in 2017 - his last fight at that weight before announcing his intentions to move up to welterweight.
In his first bout campaigning at the 147-pound limit, Crawford demolished Horn to win the WBO championship. Benavidez Jr. was his first defence, which ended in the 12th and final round.
Arum would announce Khan as his next opponent in 2019, which would be distributed on ESPN pay-per-view.
"Bud" convincingly beat Khan, knocking him down in the opening round before being halted in the sixth round with the Briton unable to continue after an accidental low blow.
Crawford accused Khan of "quitting" at the post-fight press conference. Two defences have since followed against Kavaliauskas and Brook with both ending inside the distance.
Crawford's deal with Arum expired in 2021 although it remains to be seen as to whether they agree to an extension following the promoter's comments on the amount of money he has invested in him. Speaking after Crawford's win over Brook in November 2020.
Arum told the Athletic: "He's (Crawford) got to promote like [Teofimo] Lopez does. He's got to promote like Shakur [Stevenson] does. Like [Floyd] Mayweather did. Like [Manny] Pacquiao did. If he doesn't, then who the f- needs him?
"He may be the greatest fighter in the world, but, hey, I ain't going bankrupt promoting him. The question is, 'Do we want to keep him?' I could build a house in Beverly Hills on the money I've lost on him in the last three fights. A beautiful home."
"It pi***d me off," Crawford admitted.
"I am one of the most loyalest, to the core, and for him to go out and say some foolish s**t like that, it made me just look at him a whole totally different way." It is unlikely he will work with Arum and Top Rank again.
"That's cool, that's cool if that's what he said. If Arum feels that way, then he can release me now. I'm not an asset to your company, release me right now. You don't have to wait for after a Spence fight. Release me now. If I am such a loss or a headache - s-."
Crawford took up boxing at the age of seven and went on to fight 70 amateur bouts before turning over to the professional circuit.
As an amateur, he defeated the likes of Danny and Mikey Garcia and went on to win three tournaments, including the 2007 U.S Pan American Games Box-Offs.
Despite being ranked as the number one American amateur at lightweight, Crawford's hopes of making the 2008 Olympic squad was ended following defeat to Sadam Ali.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Crawford is worth an estimated between $8-10million.
Forbes claimed Crawford was guaranteed at least a $3.5million purse for his fight against Brook although it was considerably less than the guaranteed $5.5million purse against Khan in 2019. Crawford is sponsored by Everlast.
Outside of the sport, Crawford has been doing charity work since his days as an amateur. He opened a sports academy in Omaha to work with underprivileged children.
Crawford has also done charity campaigns in Africa to help provide clean water, shelter and better living conditions for families.
Kell Brook has claimed that Errol Spence Jr “can get hurt” ahead of his “incredible” fight against Terence Crawford this weekend.
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