Derrick James, the esteemed trainer of Errol Spence Jr., has raised serious concerns about Terence Crawford’s behaviour during the final press conference ahead of the highly anticipated Spence-Crawford event on Showtime PPV this Saturday.
Crawford, who boasts an impressive undefeated record (39-0, 30 KOs), claimed he was attempting to defuse tensions during the press conference, but James and fans on social media strongly disagreed. They believe Crawford showed signs of aggression, going as far as to threaten members of the crowd. The atmosphere was tense, and Crawford’s temper seemed to get the best of him, erupting at different points during the conference.
One notable incident occurred when Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) was asked about his prediction for the upcoming fight. Crawford was visibly angry, interrupting Spence’s attempts to address the audience. It appeared as though Crawford was holding back no punches, venting his frustration and not hesitating to let Spence know precisely what he thought of him. This outburst made for uncomfortable listening, and some felt that if the situation warranted it, Crawford’s microphone should have been cut off to maintain order.
The question of whether Crawford actually threatened people remains contentious. While his fans insist that he remained composed and respectful throughout the conference, Spence’s supporters perceived a different image – an angry, bitter, and agitated Crawford, seemingly on the brink of exploding.
Derrick James spoke out about the incident, expressing his disappointment at Crawford’s behaviour. He emphasized that the press conference was not just about the weeks leading up to the event but a culmination of years of hard work and dedication for both fighters. Crawford’s actions were perceived as disrespectful to the entire audience, and his apparent threats were met with strong disapproval. James stressed that true champions do not resort to such behaviour.
Interestingly, the different perspectives of Crawford and Spence’s fans further added to the intrigue surrounding the upcoming bout. While James reassured boxing fans that what they witnessed during the press conference wouldn’t compare to the explosive display they could expect in the ring, he confidently predicted Spence’s victory, foreseeing him as the undisputed champion.
Crawford’s history with pay-per-view fights was brought into question, as he hasn’t quite proven himself to be a consistent PPV draw. In contrast, Spence has diligently worked to generate interest and excitement for the event.
Regarding Crawford’s emotional outbursts, James hypothesized that his reaction might stem from the knowledge of how people perceive him. Nevertheless, James emphasized that a true champion wouldn’t resort to threats and emotional outbursts, maintaining that such behaviour is not conducive to de-escalation.
As the fight approaches, it remains to be seen how Crawford will perform in the ring. James believes that Crawford will eventually come forward during the fight, but until then, the unpredictability of his tactics keeps his opponents guessing.
In summary, the tension and emotions displayed during the final press conference have only intensified the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Spence-Crawford fight. As both fighters prepare to face each other in the ring, the boxing world eagerly awaits to witness who will emerge victorious and claim the title of undisputed champion of the world.
