Trainers and Former Welterweight Champions Discuss Upcoming Undisputed Welterweight Championship

Awarded the Futch–Condon 2011 Boxing Writers Association of America Trainer of the Year Award, Virgil Hunter, formerly trained Andre Ward, Andre Berto, and Amir Khan, chimed in on this fight, with Stephen “Breadman” Edwards, the trainer for Julian Williams, and Caleb Plant also shared his thoughts on the upcoming fight in a zoom press conference with the media earlier this month.

Cameron Buford

Voice of the Fans

Last week we discussed some of the words Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford had for each other during their multiple press conferences. This week we will share thoughts from two former champions that shared the ring with both Spence Jr and Crawford, along with a couple of boxings top trainers that are familiar with the work of these two men who will be fighting for the undisputed Welterweight Championship on July 29th in Las Vegas.

Much have been said about this clash of champions between two of boxing preeminent boxers, but if you understand that each of these men is cool, calm, and collected outside of the ring, on the flip side, they are just as ferocious once they get inside the ring. While each of these men agree that this fight is the fight they both need to elevate their career, this increases the magnitude of this fight.

Earlier this month, their common opponents, Shawn Porter and Kell Brook shared their thoughts on this monumental clash. Porter lost to Spence in the 2019 fight of the year before losing to Crawford in the final fight of his career. Brook lost his IBF Championship Belt to Spence in 2017 and lost to the Crawford in 2020. So each of these men have a good feel for both these champions. 

“Both fighters can make adjustments, be aggressive, fight off the back foot, and counterpunch. This is an outstanding fight because they both have an A+ in every box,” Porter says. “We are going to see three different strategies from each fighter. Both of these guys have to have both to win the fight.”

“If you’re Terence Crawford, you have to get to Errol’s body and make him uncomfortable. Errol has a really tight defense and keeps his hands at home,” Porter adds. “Those openings are usually there when that punch is being released. Punch when he’s punching. Be accurate and be that sharpshooter.”

“If Terence can be comfortable and manage his energy, we have to start talking about him in the same breath as Manny Pacquiao, Andre Ward, and Floyd Mayweather,” Porter says. “Terence never got uncomfortable in his fight against me. He never showed me that there was anything unsettled within his heart or mind. I pride myself on making fighters uncomfortable. Never once did I see Terence uncomfortable.”

“Errol Spence is a big welterweight, a natural southpaw. He’s big and strong and goes to the body well. His IQ is very high in the ring,” said Brooks. “I think Errol brings calculated pressure and will go to the body. He will be the bigger guy in the fight.”

“Terence Crawford can box. He’s a sharpshooter with his punches and a good finisher,” Brooks says. “Crawford has to be sharp and use the entire ring, and pick his shots at the right time and make Spence work when he doesn’t want to work. He has to be very clever and get the rounds and break him down over the fight.”

“I think Terence is a very sharp and snapping puncher, and Errol has a more grinding and thumping kind of power. That’s the difference I see in the two,” Brooks adds. “We’re talking about two star fighters, and it’s going to come down to a very small margin, and they’re going to have to bring every part of their game to get a victory.”

I can’t disagree with either of these men who’s been in the ring with each of these champions. I will say that Crawford may have to adjust his strategy to use the early rounds to study how his opponent attacking him. Because as he studies Spence in those early rounds, Spence will be scoring points will his continuous attacking styles. Let’s now look at the trainers have to say about this fight.

Awarded the Futch–Condon 2011 Boxing Writers Association of America Trainer of the Year Award, Virgil Hunter, formerly trained Andre Ward, Andre Berto, and Amir Khan, chimed in on this fight, with Stephen “Breadman” Edwards, the trainer for Julian Williams, and Caleb Plant also shared his thoughts on the upcoming fight in a zoom press conference with the media earlier this month.

“Errol has a grind-it-out, that go-get-you mentality. It doesn’t make sense to go against what works. The fighter that wins will be the one who’s not going to let the other fighter do what he wants to do,” Hunter says. “I like Errol and the way he fights. At some point that grind-out style will slow up as you age. Errol’s determination and drive are A-plus.”

“I had the fortune to spend one day in the gym with Terence. His physical strength is underrated,” Hunter said about Crawford. “He was a wrestler early on, and I’ve watched him tussle with big guys and get them down to the ground. He is built from the feet up with his physical strength. He can generate a lot of power.”

“The first four rounds are going to determine how the rest of the fight will go,” Hunter adds. “The key for Terence is to stop Errol from what he wants to do and hurt him. The key for Errol is to keep grinding. He will have his momentum accelerated and make it very difficult for Terence.”

“Crawford doesn’t have a lot of holes in his armor. Terence is one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen. The one thing about him is if you can get to him early before he adjusts,” Edwards says. “With Errol, he’s a snowball fighter who, once he gets his rhythm, comes forward and can walk you down behind that southpaw jab. I would be worried about letting Errol get his rhythm and establish that hard southpaw jab.”

“Terence is the puncher in this fight. Not that he punches harder than Errol, but he can hit you with shots that Errol doesn’t hit guys with,” Edwards adds. “Errol kind of beats you down with his power, while Terence hits you on the money with shots you don’t even see.”

“Once these guys start clicking. You’re going to see something special. I think the casual fan might say, ‘There’s not enough action.’ But for the purist, you’ll see some great, great stuff,” says Edwards. “I don’t have a pick right now. That’s the truth. I think we’re going to have the Fight of the Century. I wouldn’t be surprised if both guys hit the canvas.”

If you are not aware of the talents and careers of Spence and Crawford pay attention to these lifers in boxers. They each made educated, well-thought-out points about this fight and gave you some stuff to look forward to once they enter the ring. I will make my pick in this fight in my next article. I will tell you that this will be a fight for the ages, as neither man wants to walk out of the ring without all four welterweight championship belts.  

Tickets for this historic event in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena on July 29, 2023, are available through AXS.com. This fight promoted by Man Down Promotions, TBC Promotions, and TGB Promotions, visit www.SHO.com/sportsand www.PremierBoxingChampions.com for more information on this fight. Be sure to follow #SpenceCrawford on Twitter, @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, and @TGBPromotions, on Instagram to stay in the loop.