Terence Crawford Return Date Set, Per Bob Arum
As Top Rank continues to churn out events, Bob Arum is adamant that he wants big-name fighters competing with an audience. Due to safety guidelines as a result of COVID-19, Arum is willing to wait. He believes it is only a matter of time, and when it happens the WBO Welterweight Champion will be a part of those plans.
Arum has ideas in place for Terence Crawford, one of the top fighters within his roster. He recently stated five potential opponents for Crawford (36-0) whenever he returns: Manny Pacquiao, Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, Kell Brook, and Yordenis Ugas. As far as when Crawford would fight, Arum chose the fall for the 32-year-old fighter.
“We’re going to have Terence fight in September, or October, period,” said Arum to ESPN. “We’re looking to either match him with [Manny] Pacquiao, Kell Brook, [Yordenis] Ugas or [Shawn] Porter.”
“Bud” won his last bout in December over Egidijus Kavaliauskas via TKO. It was the third time defending the WBO belt he won from Horn back in 2018 after holding onto the WBC, WBO, WBA, and IBF Light-Welterweight Titles. The 32-year-old has been eyeing a bout with Pacquiao for a while now. Arum previously stated that a fight between the two could take place in Bahrain.
Regarding Thurman, Porter, and Ugas, they are involved with Premier Boxing Champion. Only Ugas is on a winning streak, having won two in a row. He is hoping to face some of the top fighters out there as his skills continue to develop. Thurman just lost the WBA Welterweight TItle to Pacquiao while Porter lost the WBC Welterweight Title to Errol Spence Jr. Arum doesn’t see it as an issue to get fights with other promotions done.
“We talk to [PBC] all the time about the possibility of them using some of our fighters, us using some of their fighters,” Arum went on to say. “The question is: How do you pay for it?”
Kell Brook, a Matchroom Talent, fought for the first time in two years a few months back. The only concern Arum has is the idea of traveling issues for Brook, based in the United Kingdom.
PBC and Top Rank recently collaborated to put on the rematch between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. Arum is ready to negotiate and will look to make the best fight possible for Top Rank and Crawford.