Terence Crawford has held the WBO Welterweight World Title since 2018, and this year added the WBA, WBC and IBF belts by beating Errol Spence Jr.
It was a fight for the ages, and one which Crawford won handily within nine rounds after many people had deemed it a 50/50 contest.
The contractual rematch clause was well-documented beforehand, and it wasn’t long until Spence activated it. Since then though, nothing much has been made public about when, where or indeed at what weight the fight will take place.
Should it be at 147lbs again, it was thought that Crawford would have a chance to defend his newfound undisputed status, but the IBF’s most recent rankings update doesn’t see him listed at all.
Instead, the champion is now Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, previously the Interim belt-holder.
Ennis – 31-0 with 28 knockouts and widely regarded as the heir to the welterweight throne – has been angling for a shot against Crawford, but the three-division titlist from Nebraska has said he has bigger fish to fry.
It’s understood ‘Bud’ Crawford has been stripped of the title because he will be unable to face Ennis in a mandatory defence.
The update has fuelled speculation that his rematch with Spence may take place at the super-welterweight limit of 154. It’s something the challenger has been keen on after making 147 for his entire career and recently being tight on the scales.
Should this see some movement in Crawford’s campaign, fans will welcome it. He has big plans on what he wants to do before retirement, including an unprecedented three-weight jump to challenge for Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez’ undisputed super-middleweight crown.
For that, or any other big fights to happen, he will first need to see off Spence for a second time.
