Showtime’s epilogue for Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr.’s super-fight aired Saturday, and showcased the glamour that comes with the sport when boxing gets it right.
When the biggest fights in boxing are made there is little across all sports that challenges the theater and pageantry of a crossover event in Las Vegas.
And, at a sold out event inside the T-Mobile Arena on July 29, when two dominant and unbeaten welterweights collided, we saw exactly that — as the No.1 male boxer that American can offer announced himself in style.
Yes, Crawford was the favorite at the bookmakers.
But the nature of his victory — a ninth round referee’s stoppage in which Spence fell three times — was so spectacular it stunned fans and celebrities alike in attendance.
Spence-Crawford was a celebrity-studded affair
7-time Superbowl champ Tom Brady called Spence moments before the opening bell, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones visited the fighter in his locker room.
Manny Pacquiao, meanwhile, dropped in to Crawford’s dressing room to say hello, while ‘Rap God’ Eminem walked him to the ring while his smash hit ‘Lose Yourself’ fittingly played at near full volume.
Elsewhere, well-known figures in sports, entertainment, and music — like 10-times NBA All Star James Harden, TV personality Stephen A. Smith, and popular rapper Cardi B — were seen ringside.
All witnessed history as Crawford upset Spence with one of the strongest, most one-sided welterweight drillings in what was previously hailed as a 50-50 fight.
After the third knockdown, Crawford could seemingly sense that the fight was his. He hung over the top rope, and gestured at Jermell Charlo — a future opponent, perhaps.
Charlo could be heard screaming: “You can’t fuck with me.”
To which Crawford responded: “You’re next.”
Harden, who was near Charlo at the time, asked the super welterweight champion if they’re in the same weight class.
The fighter angrily responded that he’s busy with a Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez fight next.
According to a ProBox TV source with knowledge of the situation, Crawford, now 40-0, is a Premier Boxing Champions fighter.
And so, regardless of whether Spence activates his contractual right to a rematch for later this year, Crawford has solid options at PBC — or even with PBC’s alliance at Showtime Sports.
PBC could book Crawford in with Spence for a do-over, Jaron Ennis, or Jermell Charlo should the 154-pounder return to that division after challenging Canelo next month.
The All Access Epilogue finished with Crawford at Top Golf, and it is reminiscent of Crawford’s comments to ProBox TV a week before his fight with Spence.
As a former wrestler, and a basketball fan, ProBox TV asked Crawford whether he thinks he could beat Spence at all sports. He laughed at the question, saying: “Of course.”
One of the final scenes on Showtime showed Crawford driving a ball at Top Golf, and then telling the cameras: “You see that? I do it all.”
After the week he’s had, few should doubt he can.
