Derrick James, the seasoned trainer behind Errol Spence Jr., has made a bold assertion that may stir the boxing world. He claims Terence Crawford, the undefeated WBO welterweight champion, is in a battle not only against opponents in the ring but also his overblown ego. Crawford’s 15 years of career have seemingly led him to a misguided notion of superiority, according to James, and he worries that it might blind him to his own limitations. James anticipates Crawford's inflated self-belief could set the stage for his downfall in the much-awaited clash on July 29th against IBF, WBA & WBC welterweight champion, Spence Jr. This high-stakes bout is set to air on Showtime PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Despite Crawford's formidable record, his list of opponents is deemed questionable by James, who points out notable talents like Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, Jermell Charlo, and Manny Pacquiao were missing from Crawford’s fight history.
In the heat of the upcoming event, James revealed the immense anticipation amongst the fighters, affirming that the fire to win and improve keeps intensifying as they inch closer to the showdown. He shared his commitment to helping Spence Jr. reign supreme in this battle of wits, strength, and strategy. In his opinion, Crawford's recent fights and particularly the halted bout against Shawn Porter haven’t given him the preparation required to tackle a competitor of Spence’s caliber.
Moreover, James reflects on his experience training Ryan Garcia, another promising talent in the boxing world. This partnership resulted from a series of interactions initiated by Errol Spence Jr. himself. His successful venture into training Garcia reiterates James's stature as one of the best in the game, consistently helping his fighters inch closer to becoming undisputed champions of the world.
Image Credit: Sky Sports