It is official! In a much-awaited event for boxing fans, welterweight champions Errol Spence Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) and Terence Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) are fighting each other at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Showtime PPV.
For a period that’s spanned over two years, negotiations have been in process for this face-off between Spence, the reigning IBF, WBA, and WBC welterweight champion, and WBO titleholder Crawford. The delay may have been lengthy, but as they say, “better late than never”. In fact, it’s hinted that a trilogy may be on the cards if the first two fights are split evenly, presuming sanctioning bodies approve of a third consecutive fight without a contender’s involvement.
Interestingly, Spence’s last fight was 13 months ago, meaning contenders for his IBF, WBA & WBC belts have been on standby for a crack at his titles for nearly two years. With the potential trilogy in the offing, the wait could be even longer.
The Spence-Crawford duel on July 29 promises to crown an undisputed welterweight champion, and the winner will unequivocally be seen as the division’s top dog. However, to earn the undisputed status, the victor of the Spence vs. Crawford will likely need to take on the promising Jaron “Boots” Ennis, touted by many fans as currently the best. This news certainly brings a ray of hope to the contenders at 147 who have been eager for a title shot, especially as both Spence and Crawford, fighting only once a year, have effectively monopolized the championship belts.
In the co-main event, lightweight contender Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs) faces unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera (21-0, 7 KOs) in a 12-round WBC and WBA title eliminator.
Since suffering a close defeat against Gervonta Davis in December 2021, 25-year-old Cruz has rebounded with consecutive knockout victories, taking down former champion Yuriorkis Gamboa and seasoned contender Eduardo Ramirez in April and September 2022 respectively. The Mexico City native expressed his excitement about returning to the ring in Las Vegas on July 29, where he aims to continue the legacy of Mexican boxing greats like Julio Cesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez, and Erik Morales. Meanwhile, his opponent, Cabrera, a Seattle native now based in Chicago, is coming off a commanding win over Gabriel Flores Jr., rounding off a dominant 2022 with three victories. Having begun his pro career in 2016, the 28-year-old has bested seven undefeated fighters and now aims to cement his status in the 135 division by defeating Cruz. Cabrera acknowledges the challenge ahead but insists on earning his world champion status through tough fights.
Also in this card, future Filipino star Nonito Donaire (42-7, 28 KOs) facing off against Mexican contender Alexandro Santiago (27-3-5, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBC Bantamweight World Championship. Initially slated to face off for the vacant WBC world bantamweight title in the co-main event Frank Martin vs. Artem Harutyunyan, Donaire and Santiago’s fight was transferred to the pay-per-view event. Donaire, at 40 years old, is on the verge of breaking his own record as the oldest bantamweight world champion if he manages to defeat Santiago. On the other hand, Santiago is no stranger to Filipino fight fans. He drew against then-super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas in 2018. Santiago had a successful 2022, emerging victorious in all three of his fights.
In the telecast opener, Yoenis Tellez (5-0, 4 KOs) will fight against Sergio Garcia (34-2, 14 KOs) in a 12-round WBC super welterweight title eliminator. Originally slated to face Jesus Ramos Jr., Garcia had to adapt to a change in opponent as Ramos Jr. withdrew from the bout due to a hand injury.
Steven Nelson (18-0, 15 KOs), the undefeated 168-pound contender and Terence Crawford's stablemate, will headline the prelims in a 10-round clash against Rowdy Montgomery (10-4-1, 7 KOs). The live stream will also feature a 21-year-old super bantamweight prospect Jose Salas Reyes (12-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-round showdown against former world title challenger Aston Palicte (28-5-1, 23 KOs) from the Philippines. Catch all the action on the Showtime Sports YouTube channel and Showtime Boxing Facebook page.
Fight card:
▪️Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford, 12 rounds, WBC/IBF/WBA/WBO welterweight unification ▪️Isaac Cruz vs. Giovanni Cabrera, 12 rounds, WBC and WBA title eliminator ▪️Nonito Donaire vs. Alexandro Santiago, 12 rounds, for vacant WBC bantamweight title ▪️Sergio Garcia vs. Yoenis Tellez, 12 rounds, WBC super welterweight title eliminator
Prelims:(begins at 6 pm ET)
▪️Steven Nelson vs. Rowdy Legend Montgomery, 10 rounds, super middleweight ▪️Jose Salas Reyes vs. Aston Palicte, 10 rounds, super bantamweight
