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Deontay Wilder claims Anthony Joshua rejected £40m to fight him in swipe at Eddie Hearn

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Deontay Wilder And Anthony Joshua's

Anthony Joshua is set to fight Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia in December on the same card as Deontay Wilder, who is taking on Joseph Parker instead of the British heavyweight

Deontay Wilder has hit out at Anthony Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn for allegedly rejecting the chance to fight him.

Joshua is set to fight Otto Wallin on December 23 in Saudi Arabia, while Wilder will take on Joseph Parker on the same card. Confirmation of the line-ups has disappointed some fans, who wanted to see a long-awaited blockbuster heavyweight fight between Joshua and Wilder.

That was a possibility, according to the American, who claims that his opponent and his team simply dismissed the contest. Asked why he is not fighting Joshua next, Wilder told the Daily Mail: “He asked for $50million (£40m) and we provided that for him and he did not take it. And the only way you can disregard that is to make a mockery of it, try to make a joke of it, try to make it seem to the public that it’s not real.”

The ‘Day Of Reckoning’ show in Riyadh was originally meant for Tyson Fury’s proposed fight against Oleksandr Usyk, but that has since been delayed. A fight between Joshua and Wilder – two of the sport’s biggest stars – would have made an apt replacement, but Wilder thinks Joshua’s promoter Matchroom Boxing did not want to risk a heavy loss for their most profitable fighter.

“It’s a deflection,” he added. “It’s an ‘oh s***’ moment. ‘They came up with $50m’. That’s why they don’t have Joshua speaking a lot on his own behalf and if he does speak he always slips up and says things that are not appealing to his people. And they have to play clean-up.

anthony joshua and deontay wilder

“It’s his management that have held him back from fighting me because, you know, he’s a fighter. It’s been over six years (waiting for the fight). But there comes a point in time where you’re like, ‘Forget it’.

“Many times he wanted to fight, he wanted to accept it but his handlers didn’t want it because Joshua is the money-maker for the company. And if he goes down, so does the business.”

Anthony Joshua’s with his promoter Eddie Hearn ( 

Image:

Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Speaking in a press conference to promote his fight against Wallin, Joshua said: “I can’t predict the future, but I know what I want to do. I believe I’m going to be a three-time heavyweight champion and the first step is to put a demolition job on Otto Wallin.

“It’s going to be big – we haven’t seen a card like this before. This is not a one-stop shop. This is a vision, this is my first stop and I will deliver the message. I’m determined to win and get back to my peak.”

Wilder is hoping Joshua wins to set up a fight with him next year. He said: “It is good to be in the same room with him, to see him face to face, it has been a long time coming. I wish him nothing but the best and hopefully, soon we can give the people what we want and get it on in the ring. I believe it is going to happen, it is about that time. But even if it doesn’t, I wish him nothing but the best.”

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BOXING

“That’s Not Ideal”: Terence Crawford Bemoans Jaron Ennis Is Cool With Being an Email Champion

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Terence Bud Crawford

Terence Crawford finally broke his silence after the IBF stripped him of their Welterweight belt and gave the same to Jaron Ennis. Besides slightly rebuking the IBF, Crawford mourned the fact that Ennis became the IBF Welterweight champ without having to fight for it. In his opinion, instead of straightaway accepting the title, Ennis should have rather waited for ‘Bud’.

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However, Crawford also understood Ennis’ frustration. Additionally, speaking to Fight Hub TV, the former Welterweight champion of the world expressed that he once held the same position as Ennis when he waited for Errol Spence Jr. 

Terence Crawford feels Jaron Ennis should have refused the IBF Welterweight belt

On being asked if it was a shame for Jaron Ennis to have won the title without a fight, Crawford claimed IBF’s move was not ideal. And while he understood Ennis’ disappointment, Crawford wished ‘Boots’ rather refused the IBF belt. In his opinion, Ennis should have just settled for a different fight for the time he could not get his hands on ‘Bud’. Likewise, he bemoaned that the 26-year-old was fine with receiving a championship belt via mail.

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BOXING

How Did Jaron Ennis Become Welterweight Champion Without Fighting Terence Crawford?

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Terence Crawford

With a stunning victory against Errol Spence Jr. in July this year, Terence Crawford, who was the WBO title holder before the match, became the undisputed welterweight champion as he won the remaining three titles. Following this match, while fans praised Crawford’s skills, several people urged Spence Jr. to hang his gloves given the punishment he took. However, Spence Jr. exercised the rematch clause their contract contained.

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At this, while Spence Jr. and Crawford prepared for a second battle, the former IBF interim welterweight title holder became the IBF welterweight champion without fighting ‘Bud’. Undoubtedly, the news shocked boxing fans around the world. However, here is what actually happened.

Failing to negotiate with Jaron Ennis, Terence Crawford is stripped of IBF welterweight title

Terence Crawford

As per the updates, after the win against Spence Jr., it was mandatory that Crawford faced Jaron Ennis. In this regard, the IBF had even written to the TBC Promotions and formally demanded Crawford begin negotiations with Ennis. According to the IBF, the negotiation had to be done by September 24. However, as Spence Jr. exercised the rematch clause, bound by a contract, ‘Bud’ failed to negotiate with the then interim champion.

As a spokesperson revealed, “On August 25, the IBF sent a letter to TBC Promotions directing Terence Crawford to begin negotiations with interim Champion Jaron Ennis. Negotiations were to be concluded by September 24.” However, on September 22, Harrison Whitman, Crawford’s representative informed the IBF that due to “an immediate rematch provision,” Crawford was “unable to engage in negotiations with Jaron Ennis.”

But, the IBF is against a clause interfering with the mandatory title defense. Hence, the organization stripped Crawford of his IBF welterweight title. As a result, Ennis is now the new IBF welterweight champion although he did not face ‘Bud.’

What shall Crawford do to get back the IBF title?

Well, now that the title is gone, there is only one option left for the proud father, Crawford. After the rematch with ‘The Truth,’ Crawford must try and strike a deal with Ennis. With a victory over the 26-year-old, Crawford can again become the undisputed champion. However, Ennis has not lost a single fight since his pro debut in 2016. Hence, it is very likely that he will give ‘Bud’ a run for his money.

Besides being younger, Ennis has better height and reach than Crawford. Certainly, Crawford won’t find Ennis as easy as certain fans would like to think. Anyway, with that said, what do you think of Crawford losing the IBF title? Would you like ‘Bud’ to face Ennis? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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BOXING

Crawford: F— The IBF! They Stripped Me Damn Near 2½ Months After [I Won] My Title

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Terence Crawford

Terence Crawford smiled Wednesday when he expressed how he feels about the IBF stripping him of its welterweight title last week.

The undefeated, undisputed 147-pound champion couldn’t believe that the New Jersey-based sanctioning organization took one of his titles away from him barely three months after he stopped previously unbeaten rival Errol Spence Jr. to win it July 29 at T-Mobile Arena. Crawford still owns the WBA, WBC and WBO belts, but he isn’t sure whether the immediate rematch to which he is contractually bound will be contested at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds or the junior middleweight maximum of 154 pounds.

“Man, f— the IBF! That’s what I say,” Crawford told a group of reporters after the Shakur Stevenson-Edwin De Los Santos weigh-in at T-Mobile Arena. “You know what I mean? F— the IBF and they organization. I don’t give a f— about, you know what I mean, the IBF. They stripped me damn near 2½ months after [I won] my title, not knowing what was gonna happen next. But it’s cool, though. I’m not mad at ‘em, you know? I got what I needed, and that was, you know, undisputed. And the rest is history. You know, I don’t care about none of that.”

Terence Bud Crawford

Crawford, 36, didn’t seem genuinely angry, but the Omaha, Nebraska native pointed out that the IBF never stripped Spence, despite the fact that the often-injured ex-champion hadn’t made a mandatory defense of his IBF belt in more than five years by the time he faced Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs). The IBF’s rationale for taking Crawford’s title is that he couldn’t commit to fighting interim champion Jaron Ennis next because he is contractually obligated to an immediate rematch with Spence (28-1, 22 KOs), whom Crawford dropped three times and beat by ninth-round technical knockout.

The IBF elevated Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs, 1 NC), who was Crawford’s mandatory challenger, from interim champ to full champ when it stripped Crawford.

When asked if he was frustrated by the IBF’s decision, Crawford replied, “No, not at all, because like I said, I came into that fight looking to become undisputed. You know, I became undisputed, so there’s nothing there for me to accomplish at that point in time. You know, so I did what I said I was gonna do. I came, I saw, I conquered and it’s on to the next.”

Crawford became boxing’s first fully unified welterweight champion of the four-belt era by beating Spence. The three-division champion also won the WBA and WBC belts from Spence, a southpaw from DeSoto, Texas.

The former undisputed 140-pound king hasn’t heard from Premier Boxing Champions founder Al Haymon regarding when he’ll fight Spence again.

“Well, the latest is, you know, we signed and [are] contracted to do a rematch, and that’s what it is right now,” Crawford said. “I don’t got no date right now. You know, but I know that’s the next fight that Terence Crawford will have.”

Showtime’s exit from the boxing business, which was announced by parent company Paramount Global on October 17, has complicated the scheduling of the Crawford-Spence rematch. Their first fight headlined a Showtime Pay-Per-View event, but Haymon hasn’t announced the platform(s) with which PBC will work in 2024.

“I don’t know,” Crawford said. “It’s still up in the air, given the fact that Showtime has no longer decided to do boxing. So, everything’s up in the air right now with that. But nothing’s being noted to me that the fight will not happen, so you know, that’s the fight [that’s next for me].”

Crawford did acknowledge that his second fight versus Spence could be contracted for a 154-pound limit.

“We don’t know yet,” Crawford said. “The contract say 147, so you know, that’s what it’s at right now. You know, who knows? We can decide on 154 or 147. You know, right now, you know, everything’s up in the air right now.

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BOXING

Terence Crawford Says ‘Fk The IBF’ And Confirms Next Fight

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Terence Crawford

Formerly undisputed welterweight champion Terence Crawford has emerged as the pound-for-pound number one in the eyes of most during 2023 and has been linked to a host of high-profile clashes as a result.

Crawford dominated and knocked out Errol Spence Jr back in July in the standout performance of the calendar year.

He was crowned as the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era. However, last week the IBF stripped the 36-year-old of its belt due to a contractual inability to face his mandatory challenger and interim title-holder, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

Terence Crawford

Responding to the news via FightHype, Crawford said he wasn’t frustrated but ‘f**k the IBF.

In the aftermath of the Spence fight, Crawford has been linked to fights with Ennis, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Jermell Charlo, but has confirmed that the rematch is what will happen next.

Other than the date, there was a question surrounding the weight of the rematch. Spence had, at the post-fight press conference, mentioned that they wanted up one division at 154.

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BOXING

Boxing GOAT Claressa Shields plans to fight for gender equality in Cape Town

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Claressa Shield

American Claressa Shields voted the best female boxer on the planet for the past two years is planning to visit Cape Town, at a time when South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August.

As of October 2022, ESPN, the American cable sports channel, and The Ring, the ‘Bible of Boxing’ declared Shields the world’s top pound-for-pound women’s boxer.

Shields rued the missed opportunity to attend the recent WBF Convention in Cape Town because of a fight engagement. Her publicists are busy with a promotional movie which brings Shields’ fight for gender equality for women to the fore.

Shields will look to meet with women’s groups during her stay in the Mother City.

There is also every prospect that Shields may fight in Africa in the future. She has made no secret of her desire to fight on the ‘Mother Continent’ and she has the backing of her manager Dimitri Salita.

The Ukraine-born American promoter Salita was recently inducted into the New York Boxing Hall of Fame. He ranks among the powerful boxing promoters in the USA and has struck up a working relationship with Howard Goldberg, the president of the WBF (World Boxing Federation).

He will be looking at opportunities for Shields to fight in Africa but securing a deal for the world’s female No 1 boxer is a daunting task.

Salita said his journey with Shields has been an incredible one, and now that Shields has reached the pinnacle of women’s boxing, she dreams of fighting in Africa just like the great Muhammad Ali.

Shields holds the record for becoming a two and three-weight world champion in the fewest professional fights.

“I now promote the Shields who is known as the greatest woman boxer of all time,” said Salita. “She is now known as the GWOAT (greatest woman of all time) Claressa Shields.

Claressa Shield

“What an incredible journey it’s been, and we want the next step of it to be in Africa!”

He said boxing changed his life in his adopted country, the USA.

“Growing up in poverty and going through challenges of immigration I saw boxing as my gift and a tool to make a better life for myself,” said Salita.

“As an amateur, I won the USA Nationals and then the Golden Gloves in Madison Square Garden winning the Sugar Ray Robinson Award given to the outstanding boxer of the tournament.

“After that, I turned professional with an eye on winning the world title one day.

” I finally got my shot in 2008 when I fought and won the WBF World title at Madison Square Garden live on HBO on the undercard of Roy Jones Jr vs Joe Calzaghe.

“Fast forward to 2023, I now promote the GWOAT Claressa Shields!”

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BOXING

Tim Bradley: Gervonta Davis Will Get Exposed if He Faces The Right Guy Like Shakur

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Gervonta tank davis

Some of the critics of Gervonta “Tank” Davis were finally won over. It may have taken a few years, but the newly turned 29-year-old has continued to rack up the wins and look good while doing so. In 2023, you could make the argument that it all came together for him.

During the first weekend of the new year, Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) became the first man to defeat Hector Luis Garcia. If that wasn’t enough, the former multi-divisional champ took out another Garcia, first name Ryan.

Those aforementioned wins made most in the boxing world nod in approval. Tim Bradley, however, yawned apathetically.

In no way, shape, or form is Bradley saying that Davis isn’t good. Actually, he reveres his skills and considers him one of the best fighters around. With that said, Bradley also believes that Davis isn’t what he says he is.

“Tank is gonna get exposed soon,” said an amped-up Bradley to Sean Zittel of FightHype.com. “He gets in there with the right guy, Shakur Stevenson, he’s gonna get exposed.”

Stevenson, 26, has a chance to grab yet another world title this coming Thursday when he takes on Edwin De Los Santos. Since hanging up his gloves several years ago, Bradley spends most of his time checking out countless hours of fight tape.

Gervonta Davis

You’d be hard-pressed to find a fighter that Bradley doesn’t know inside and out. Stevenson, by and large, isn’t analogous to anyone he’s seen in recent memory. The way the former Olympic silver medalist slyly moves his chin out of the way from any oncoming shots, while landing whenever he wanted, has made Bradley jump out of his seat.

From his point of view, Stevenson vs. Davis is probably the biggest and best fight that can be made in all of boxing. But while most might consider their showdown a 50/50 one, Bradley scratches his head in confusion.

Anyone who shares that belief comes across as incoherent to Bradley. Davis might have the skills and obvious punching power but Bradley questions whether or not that red organ beating inside his chest can get him over the line.

“Things get hot in there and he can’t have his way, you can beat him. He would definitely fold under pressure.”

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BOXING

Shakur Stevenson On Facing Gervonta Davis: I Think It’s The Biggest Fight In The World

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Shakur Stevenson

Shakur Stevenson is certain that Al Haymon has strategically sent Edwin De Los Santos to “the other side of the street” for more than just the obvious, an opportunity to win the vacant WBC lightweight title.

Stevenson believes Gervonta Davis’ handlers will use De Los Santos’ fight versus Stevenson on Thursday night as a way to measure whether they should match Davis against Stevenson sooner rather than later. The Dominican Republic’s De Los Santos, like Davis, is a southpaw who is aligned with Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions.

Baltimore’s Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) is considered a harder puncher than De Los Santos (16-1, 14 KOs), but De Los Santos is a capable boxer-puncher who has won 82 percent of his pro bouts inside the distance. Stevenson sensed that Frank Martin, the PBC-affiliated southpaw who initially accepted this fight with him, would’ve served a comparable purpose for Haymon.

De Los Santos, who is promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz, happily replaced Martin, who is represented by Errol Spence Jr.’s Man Down Promotions, as Stevenson’s opponent once Martin determined that he wasn’t going to be paid enough money to face Stevenson in this 12-round, 135-pound championship match.

Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs), a two-division champion who is promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., thinks Davis would face him next, but he doesn’t feel those that guide Davis’ career are as confident about making that high-profile fight in 2024. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist is convinced, however, that he will eventually fight Davis, who is one of the biggest attractions in the sport.

“I think it’s the biggest fight in the world,” Stevenson told BoxingScene.com. “I think that when it happens it need to be promoted and put out there like that. I think that me and him is two of the best fighters in the world. And honestly, I just feel like it should be worldwide. That’ll be the best fight in boxing right now, if you ask me.”

Davis, 29, and Stevenson, 26, are both pound-for-pound talents who’ve won world titles in multiple weight classes. Davis owns the WBA’s secondary lightweight crown, but Stevenson can capture the WBC belt previously owned by undefeated, undisputed lightweight champ Devin Haney by beating De Los Santos in a main event ESPN will televise from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (10:30 p.m. EDT).

Stevenson eventually will move up to the 140-pound division, yet the Newark, New Jersey native thinks he and Davis will test each other in a lightweight fight.

“Yeah, for sure. I think ’35 is the weight,” Stevenson said. “I think me and him naturally is smaller guys. I’m naturally a 35-pounder. He’s big, as far as like thickness, but he ain’t like no super-tall motherf—–. So, I think that he’ll fight at 135 for a while, too. I don’t think that he’s planning on going up.”

When the time comes to negotiate for their high-profile pay-per-view fight, Stevenson intends to be reasonable because he acknowledged during a recent open workout at Top Rank’s gym that Davis is a rare bankable boxing superstar.

“Sixty-forty? Honestly, why would I not take it?,” Stevenson said. “Man, I ain’t tryin’ to get into the business. But like I said, once again, he’s the biggest superstar in the sport, so give me the call and I’m ready to talk.”

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Anthony Joshua tells Otto Wallin he will ‘f him up’ during intense face-off, before warning December 23 opponent: ‘Don’t shake my hand after talking s’

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua was in a bullish mood at the face-off event for his upcoming clash with Otto Wallin on Wednesday, and sent the Swede an ominous warning.

Joshua was named as part of an A-list card featuring the likes of rival Deontay Wilder and former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, who will take on the American in Saudi Arabia.

Wilder exclusively revealed to Mail Sport that Joshua had turned down a £40million offer to face him, but claimed that the two-time champion’s management team ‘held him back’ from the potential clash.

It proved to be an eventful evening for the British heavyweight, who was seen trading insults with Jarrell Miller over how he would fare against Wilder, as well as snubbing questions from a rival promoter’s PR man.

Yet his exchange with Wallin was equally attention-grabbing, with Joshua telling his opponent he will ‘f**k him up’ next month.

You don’t control your business no? He’s representing you, and you don’t know what he’s doing here?’ began Joshua in his bullish rant.

‘Good luck anyway – I will f**k you up December 23rd. I promise you. Trust me.

‘Don’t shake my hand after as well if you’re talking s**t. Don’t shake my hand after.’

Wallin boasts a 26-1 record, losing just the once by unanimous decision against Tyson Fury back in September 2019 in Las Vegas.

The 32-year-old is a tough costumer, though, with the southpaw leaving Fury needing 42 stitches above his eye despite the result not going his way.

Joshua and Wallin is a rematch of their two amateur bouts – won by Joshua in 2010 and 2011 – and will be a tough fight for the Brit as he looks to make it three for three over the Swede.

The Briton has long been linked to a potential fight against Wilder, with his promoter Eddie Hearn claiming in September that Joshua was going to ‘knock out Deontay Wilder’ in a prediction hyping up the performance of his boxer.

But fans were disappointed to see Wilder and Joshua both making it onto the December 23 card – but facing different opposition.

Joshua was quick to respond to Miller teasing, and snapped back: ‘Shut the f*** up.

‘Miller, don’t start with me. You know I’ll come over and slap you.’

The 34-year-old added: ‘I see you’ve brought your mum here, she needs her rent paid.

‘You’re not doing nothing to me. Watch your mouth, or I’ll slap it for you.’

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Despite Canelo Alvarez’s Dominating Victory, Claressa Shields Details Why She Ranks Terence Crawford As Her Number 1 “Pound-For-Pound” Fighter

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claressa shield

In the high-stakes world of boxing, there’s little room for debate. Terence Crawford‘s triumph against Errol Spence Jr. speaks volumes, solidifying his position as one of the most dominant fighters in the ring today. Crawford’s strategic brilliance and unwavering determination were on full display during his bout against Spence. The match wasn’t just a victory; it was a masterclass in boxing finesse. His skill set and mindset were unparalleled, leaving spectators and pundits alike in awe.

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On the red carpet of T-Mobile Arena, in the lead-up to the highly anticipated Canelo vs. Charlo bout, Claressa Shields dished out the details on why she thinks anybody who wins in the matchup will still be “number 2” in her books. She revealed that for the past three years, Terence Crawford has been the pick for her. Her opinion surely matters since she is currently one of the best female middleweight boxers and a Mixed Martial Artist.

Terence Crawford for P4P

Remarkably, both Crawford and Shields have earned the title of two-time undisputed champions in the world of boxing. Crawford’s undisputed reign began at 140 pounds before moving up to 147, while Shields initially achieved undisputed status at 160 pounds and currently holds the title at 154 pounds. In the red carpet interview, Claressa Shields, revealed to Schmo, that no matter who wins the Canelo vs. Charlo bout, Terence Crawford will be her number one pound-for-pound pick. “We cannot overlook what Terence Crawford did against Errol Spence.” 

Terence Crawford

Claressa is recalling ‘Bud’ recently making history as the first male boxer to attain undisputed Welterweight champion status in the four-belt era. In a parallel achievement, Claressa Shields had already secured the same accolade in the women’s division back in 2021, defeating Marie Eve Dicaire.

Rematch Speculations and Anticipation

According to ESPN, the two fighters, Crawford and Spence, are looking into rematch clauses. Spence is utilizing his rematch option and is gearing up for a second showdown against Terence “Bud” Crawford, as confirmed by Spence’s trainer, Derrick James. In Particular, this anticipated rematch is expected to occur in the junior middleweight category, marking the first appearance of both fighters in the 154-pound division. As of now, specific information regarding the fight’s date, location, and additional details remains undisclosed.

As we await the highly anticipated renaissance of the match, we will have to wait to find out if there are any other fights in Terence’s future. Since Jermell Charlo’s loss last night, he was seen calling out Crawford for a match.

In the world of boxing, rankings can change overnight. New contenders emerge, and old champions falter. However, Crawford’s consistency is what cements his legacy. While others may come close, they have yet to match his caliber. He isn’t just a fighter; he’s a force to be reckoned with, a symbol of excellence in the sport and Shields recognizes this. Tell us your opinion in the comments below.

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