The World Boxing Organization Orders a Purse Bid at Welterweight
The WBO has recently announced that the Terrence Crawford and Shawn Porter camps must negotiate a purse bid in thirty days for a mandated fight. Porter the former IBF and WBC Welterweight Champion is currently sitting at number two in the WBO rankings. These two sides were going back and forth earlier in the year but neither side could agree on the financials. The 37-0 champion Crawford is looking for a signature fight at the weight class that has eluded him since his move from 140 lbs. Of course the Errol Spence Jr. fight is match boxing fans have been clamoring for but progress seems to have completely stalled as Spence has a big fight coming up against Pacquiao and has lots of other options. Of course this fight can still not move forward if Porter does not get favorable financial guarantees and walks away or is promised a tastier option from Al Haymon at PBC to prevent the fight from happening. Bob Arum is also likely to want to try and keep the fight in house for himself as well which is why he has been aiming to bring Crawford into the ring with Josh Taylor or Jose Zepeda. Right now it is an exciting headline but not a guarantee just yet.
Opinion: This is the type of fight that Crawford absolutely needs right now as it is a chance to take on an elite welterweight and prove his merits in the division and make a splash into the PBC world of welterweight boxing. For Porter he has been through the elites of the division and has come up short against the two biggest names he has faced in Danny Garcia and Spence. Spence has made himself the man to beat in the division and will have that confirmed if he beats Pacquiao of course. Crawford is scene as that number two guy in the division where his talent is respected but his accomplishments lag behind what our eyes show us. In many ways I think Porter can impose himself on Crawford and drag him into a difficult and exciting fight like he did vs Keith Thurman. However, I see the precise punching and power to lean this fight into the favor of Crawford. I expect Terrence to get his signature win at 147 lbs. if the fight materializes and either as a close but clear decision in the realm of a 115-113 or 116-112 score or even a late TKO after ten rounds. Spence did drop Porter in the 11th round and Ugas took over in the late stages and I see Crawford finishing strong.
Tim Tszyu and Tony Harrison Rumored to be Fighting next
While the title belts at 154 lbs. have been the biggest discussion in boxing since last Saturday with the Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano draw, rumors swirl about a top contender showdown. Australia’s undefeated Tim Tszyu 19-0 (15) is targeting a fight with former WBC Titlist Tony Harrison 28-1-1 (23). Tszyu is currently ranked number seven by Ring while Harrison is rated sixth and Tszyu is rated number one by the WBO, number three by the WBC and IBF while Harrison holds a number six ranking with the WBC. Tszyu is the fast rising twenty-six year-old son of 1990’s champion Kostya Tszyu and has been climbing the ranks at junior middleweight. So far he has not encountered any elite fighters but has beaten the best Australia has to offer while fighting at home. He looks to break into the US market with a Harrison fight. Harrison is coming off the two fight series with Jermell Charlo that saw him win and lose the WBC title and get a disappointing draw with Bryant Perella in his most recent fight. This makes a huge step up for Tszyu and a chance for Harrison to stay relevant. This is a very interesting crossroads fight that has me picking Harrison at this very moment but he has been stopped three times and struggles to put together full twelve round performances. I hope this fight materializes as it will present a fresh face in the division or a potential trilogy fight with Harrison and Charlo.
Jersey George's Boxing Blog 