Boxing fans calling for Terence Crawford to fight better welterweight competition may soon get their wish. The WBO has ordered its welterweight champion to schedule an immediate title defense against former world titlist Shawn Porter. Fight promoters have 30 days to avoid seeing the Terence Crawford and Shawn Porter fight go to a purse bid.
Terence Crawford has been unable to land a fight with other big names in the welterweight division. Part of the problem is Crawford’s association with Top Rank Boxing. Top welterweights like Errol Spence, Keith Thurman, and Shawn Porter all fight under the PBC banner.
The cold war between the two promotional companies caused Crawford to settle for second-tier competition in his last handful of fights. Fans have also criticized Crawford for not signing with the PBC to secure better matchups. The same fans now hope the pressure applied by the WBO will result in Terence Crawford and Shawn Porter entering the ring soon to do battle.
Terence Crawford is undefeated in 37 professional fights. He won 28 contests by knockouts. His most dedicated fans believe he is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the sport.
Crawford unified the super lightweight division in August of 2017 with a third-round knockout of former world champion Julius Indongo. Crawford moved to the welterweight division for his next fight and secured the WBO crown with a win over Jeff Horn.
Shawn Porter has 31 wins in 35 professional fights. Porter has been on the losing end of three hotly contested boxing matches and experienced one draw. He knocked out 17 prior opponents.
Porter won the IBF welterweight title from Devon Alexander in December 2013. He lost the belt to Kell Brook after one successful title defense.
Shawn Porter claimed a share of the welterweight title again in September 2018 with a win over Danny Garcia. Porter lost the WBC title in a split decision loss to unified champion Errol Spence. A fight with Crawford will provide Porter with the chance to become a world champion for the third time.