Derrick James denied the common consensus that weight issues were the primary factor in Errol Spence Jr’s stoppage defeat to Terence Crawford in July.
The unified world welterweight champion Spence (28-1, 22KOs) would be halted in nine rounds by Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs), who produced a punch-perfect performance to become undisputed world welterweight champion. Spence would suffer knockdowns in the second round and twice in round seven, heavily in the process of being defeated.
In the post-fight interview conducted by broadcaster Showtime, Spence suggested that he had issues making weight and would wish to pursue a rematch at 154lbs, having competed at welterweight for the entirety of his career.
James conducted a recent interview with FightHubTV, rejecting the idea that Spence’s defeat was solely due to his charge issues with making the 147lbs welterweight limit. Instead, James praised Crawford and his trainer, Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre, for implementing a great game plan and executing it to secure victory.
“You’ll see him [in the rematch], he won’t be so drained he won’t be so depleted or whatever,” James told FightHubTV. “You know, that wasn’t the issue. Crawford fought a good fight. Crawford had a great game plan, right. So, you’re talking about this [Crawford’s] coach, he was the better guy that day.”
Speculation remains about when the rematch between Crawford and Spence Jr will take place. Spence activated the contractual rematch clause, which he held in his favour following the defeat to Crawford, however, details as to when the rematch will take place have yet to be made public.
James finalised by saying that he did not know any information as to when a rematch would take place.
“I don’t know anything about it. Nothin’” James said.
“That part (weight class) I’m sure they already signed that or whatever,” James added. “But I don’t know anything about that either.”
