Spence Vs. Crawford Rematch Could Face Problems – Here’s Why

Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr’s rematch could face a whole host of problems.

That is according to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger. Following Crawford’s ninth-round stoppage to become the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era, Spence decided to enact his rematch clause. The perception is that the rematch will take place at junior middleweight, although Crawford will have the final say over the weight class. That could create problems for several reasons. Crawford may decide to run things back at 147, knowing that Spence’s intentions were to move up to 154. Meanwhile, Crawford could also decide to demand a bigger purse, given that he is the A-side. And that could prevent things from moving forward.

Errol Spence Jr. exercised the rematch clause for a return bout with Terence Crawford and said afterward he’d like the fight at 154 pounds, but it remains to be seen what weight they meet at.

Contractually, the winner of the first fight picks the weight for the rematch. If… pic.twitter.com/KubUGiCddD

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) September 13, 2023

“So it going to be up to Terence Crawford [to select the weight for the rematch with Spence]. If he wants to fight at 154, then no problem at all.  But if Crawford decides he wants Errol Spence to make some concessions to move the weight up, then there will have to be some sort of negotiations, and I could definitely see some issues there.

“With the rematch clause and the purse splits already decided ahead of time. This fighter, X, gets more if he wins, and so forth. So, I don’t think it’s going to be cut & dried to change that weight,” Mike Coppinger