Terence Crawford labels Error Spence Jr a ‘nobody’ as the pair face off at New York press conference

Terence Crawford labeled Errol Spence Jr. like a ‘nobody’ ahead of their blockbuster Vegas showdown in July, with light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez showing up at the fight’s press conference in New York days after announcing his retirement.

Both boxers are undefeated – Spence is 28-0 with 22 knockouts and Crawford is 38-0 with 29 KO’s. Spence holds the IBF, WBC and WBA belts and Crawford is the WBO champion.

The two will face each other on July 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“I’ve spent my whole life preparing for this moment, right here,” Crawford said Wednesday in front of reporters at the Palladium Times Square. “Moments like this don’t come around often and this is my time. This is the Terence Crawford era. There’s no stopping me. Not Errol, not Derek. No one is stopping me from achieving what I want to achieve on July 29.

‘[…] I can assure you, I can promise you that you will all walk away saying ‘that boy is special’. You’re going to label me one of the greatest of all time, along with the Floyds, the Alis, the Fraziers, and you can sit there and say “well, you haven’t fought anyone.” And my answer to that is, “I guess Errol is just another nobody that I’ve been fighting.” Peace.’

Spence Jr., for his part, said Crawford “won’t break” and won’t “absolutely break” either, adding that someone will eventually have to “break” on fight night.

“And we need all of you to support us,” the 33-year-old added. “I mean, we have to show these people in suits, we have to show other fighters that there is a reward in taking risks. […] I’m just thankful to be here, very blessed with this opportunity to become the first undisputed World Welterweight Champion and fight a great fighter like Terrance Crawford.

“I’m ready to put on a great show and put on a great performance and show people how great I am. And showing people why I will be one of the greatest welterweights of all time. I’m telling you, you don’t want to miss this fight. This is going to be a great fight.

“I’m going to put on a great show and I’m going to show everyone why we break people. Make sure you’re up to date on July 29. It’s going to be another man down and it’s band season time.”

Both boxers went back and forth fiercely after Crawford was asked to explain how he will “strip the big fish” – one of Spence’s ring names.

“Well, you know I like to go fishing…everyone knows that’s one of my hobbies…” Crawford said before being interrupted by his rival.

“Man, that’s cap!” joked Spence Jr. ‘You’re not going to catch me without a fishing rod man. I am the greatest. You don’t catch me with a fishing rod. What it looks like to catch Moby Dick with a fishing rod?!’

“They’ve all been caught before,” Crawford replied. ‘One by one and on July 29 he will also be caught. I have a hook big enough for him and I’m already reeling him in. On July 29 I put him on the bank. I’m going to gut him and I’m going to fillet him, like I said.’

Spence told his opponent that he needs a lot more than a fishing rod to stop him, and suggested to Crawford that he bring a submarine, before the latter continued his nonsense.

‘We’re going to get him. By the way, we’ve already caught him,” said the three-weight champion. “We’re just cutting him off now. And on July 29, we’re probably going to take him to the bank. Probably weigh him, put him on a scale, chop his head off, cut him from the guts, butt up, get the little guts, pull his skin off, get the little knife. It is well.

Crawford then asked the audience, “You all like fish?” How many of you like fish?’ before turning to Spence’s father, who was present, and telling him, “I bet you like fish too, Pops.” Come on, you can say you like fish. You know your son is “the big fish” so he likes fish too. We’re going to give his daddies a piece of big fish too.’

More to follow…