To many fans, Errol Spence Jr. might be traversing through uncertainties. Given the hints he has dropped, Spence Jr. could very well be contemplating his swan song. Fresh rumors suggest the fate of his fight with Sebastian Fundora hangs in the balance. Much has transpired in the former unified welterweight champion’s life since his first career loss to Terence Crawford. On July 29, boxing fans marked the first anniversary of their epic clash at the T-Mobile Arena last year.

In contrast, his great rival has also moved on. Crawford is set to face Israil Madrimov for the light middleweight title. To most, it seems like a strategic move to get closer to his ultimate goal: a bout with Canelo Alvarez. Many might expect Errol Spence Jr. to play down ‘Bud’s chances against one of boxing’s premier figures. However, the New York-born former champion seems to hold no hard feelings against Crawford. Rather, he believes that the Nebraskan might be the one to stop the Canelo Alvarez juggernaut.

Sportsmanship above rivalry: Errol Spence Jr. on Terence Crawford

Following a brief lull, a fresh set of talks seem to be emerging for a potential matchup between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford. So an excerpt from an old interview that Errol Spence Jr. gave in the lead-up to the fight between his charge, Frank Martin, and Gervonta Davis, appears to have surfaced once again.

“I’ll be going for him (Terence Crawford); I’ll be going for him,” said the former world champion as a reporter picked up the subject. The reporter had initially asked, “It’s speculation now, just rumors, but just the Crawford Canelo means this is something that you could honestly think should happen. You know there’s weight classes for a reason.” Spence Jr. replied that it is reasonable for Crawford to take on challenges if he aims for a preeminent position in the boxing world. Hence, his support rests with the Nebraskan southpaw.

The reporter asked whether he expected ‘Bud’ to reign in Alvarez. Errol Spence Jr. responded, “I don’t know if he’s going to win or lose, but I definitely will be going for Crawford. I think if anybody can pull it off, he can pull it off. He’s chasing greatness, so why not?”

The reporter, however, hadn’t given up. He questioned the rationale behind jumping three divisions up to ‘chase greatness’.

Closing the divide

Without batting an eyelid, Spence Jr. told how even Canelo Alvarez moved to light heavyweight and defeated Sergey Kovalev for the title. Then he started his career at 147 pounds and leapfrogged thereafter. So if he can do it, then what’s the problem with Crawford? He shot back.

Even ‘Bud’s longtime trainer Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre feels that perhaps his famous pupil knows that he has the necessary will and skill to inflict a third career loss on Canelo Alvarez. Speaking with Fight Hub TV‘s Marcos Villegas, he said, I just looked at, uh, Canelo like he can be beaten; he’s been beat before, so he definitely Bud got the tools to beat him…but I know Bud has the tools to beat him, so that’s the most important thing to me.”

The taste of the pudding lies in eating it. Terence Crawford has significantly closed the gap between him and Canelo Alvarez. If only the fight gets made, then fans can finally witness a clash between two of the greatest modern-day boxers. The victor will surely enter the annals of greatness.

Do you think Spence Jr. should retire after the Fundora fight, if it takes place?