Unified WBC, WBA and IBF Welterweight Champion Errol “The Truth” Spence and WBO 147-pound World Champion Terence “Bud” Crawford will loom large over Midtown Manhattan today at 11 a.m. ET when their New York City press conference streams live on two outdoor billboards overlooking Times Square. Their movements will flash across the Paramount Twins LED Billboards at 1515 Broadway between 44th and 45th street at the Paramount Global building as Spence and Crawford meet face-to-face today in the second leg of their coast-to-coast media tour to kick off their July 29 super fight for the undisputed welterweight championship. Today’s press conference will take place at the Palladium Times Square.
The two billboards, one facing south above the 44th street entrance, the other facing north at the 45th street entrance, will air highlights of Spence and Crawford’s best fights starting at 10:30 a.m., leading into the 11 a.m. press conference. The two video displays will then air more highlights of both fighters from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. following the presser. It’s the first time that SHOWTIME® has ever live-streamed a boxing press event atop a Times Square billboard.
The winner of this matchup of undefeated superstars will become the first undisputed welterweight world champion in the four-belt era and likely emerge as the sport’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. Spence vs. Crawford joins Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns, Pernell Whitaker vs. Julio César Chávez and Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, as a generational matchup of two popular stars whose dynamic and aggressive styles should produce an instant classic.
At their first in-person meeting since the fight was announced, Spence and Crawford both promised to deliver performances commensurate with the anticipation of this historic matchup at the kickoff press conference.
“This is the biggest fight in boxing right now,” said Spence. “This is a legendary fight. It’s an old-school fight. This is like the fights my dad used to tell me about. It’s the best fighting the best.”
“This is definitely a legacy fight and a fight that should be talked about everywhere,” said Crawford. “This is an old school type of fight. All the greats have fought each other and that’s what we’re doing for this era.”
DERRICK JAMES, Spence’s Trainer
“This is something that’s been coming for a long time. There’s been a lot of talk and speculation. What it’s all about right now is July 29.
“It’s time to get busy. That’s all we care about. I’m ready to see Errol go out there and do what he needs to do. He did what he said he’d do and got those three belts, now it’s time to get one more.
“I believe that Errol will win the fight because of his technique and skill set. It’s not so much about gamesmanship. He doesn’t talk, he goes in there and gets busy. What you’ll see once again is Errol prove his dominance over another fighter.
“It’s not about knocking a guy out, it’s about breaking a fighter. It’s about taking away their desire to fight. That’s what you’ll see July 29.
“It’s all about the big fish right now. I like the Crawford team, we’re really co-workers because that’s the only way to make this happen. But on the night of the fight, it’s gonna be showtime for real.”
BRIAN “BO MAC” MCINTYRE, Crawford’s Trainer
“I’m so glad these fighters stayed the course and got this fight made. They’re going to show the world who the best fighter is. That really tells you about each fighter’s character.
“We’re gonna show you the best fighter in the world on July 29. It will be us. Don’t miss it. I promise you. I know Spence is coming and Derrick is gonna do a damn good job training him, but it doesn’t matter.
“Terence is the better fighter and the world knows that. If you just look how he goes about his business, there’s no playing around with him. He comes to get you out of there. Once he hurts you, that’s a wrap.
“Errol is a damn good fighter. He accomplished a lot in the game and I tip my hat to him and to Derrick. But the real fighters know who’s gonna win this fight.
“I promise you from the bottom of my heart, that we’re going to walk away victorious.”
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“This is as big as it gets. The best two fighters in the world, both in their prime and both undefeated world champions. This is not just a mega fight, it’s bigger than that. It’s a generational fight. It’s an instant classic that you’ll remember for years to come. Legacies will be determined on July 29.
“Not only is Errol one of the best fighters in the world, but he’s a boxing miracle for what he’s gone through. He’s also box office gold. His last fight generated a massive live gate at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and he’s proven he sells outside Texas. Now he’s coming to do the same in the boxing capital of the world of Las Vegas.
“There’s no more talk about who’s on what side of the street; on Saturday July 29, ‘Bud’ Crawford will be in one corner and Errol Spence Jr. will be in the other corner. When the fight is over, there will be one man standing in the center of the ring with his hand raised and all four belts. He will be the new undisputed pound-for-pound king of boxing.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President of SHOWTIME Sports
“This is a fantastic time to be a boxing fan, with big fights and top fighters against top fighters. These fights are happening more regularly and there’s one place where they’re happening more often than anywhere else, and that’s SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME PPV.
“Together with PBC, we’ve delivered the strongest schedule in the sport. This year through July we’ve scheduled 17 big-time boxing events. It’s probably the strongest run of fights we’ve had in the 37 year history of SHOWTIME BOXING.
“We’re thrilled to be delivering this once in a generation fight. This fight speaks for itself. Two of the best fighters in the sport fighting to make history. If you were going to create the perfect fight, it would look a lot like this. Two of the best and most skilled fighters in the sport, two fighters with knockout power, and all-action fan friendly styles. This fight is so evenly matched that the betting odds are almost dead even. We’ve got history on the line, and fighters who’ve overcome adversity and with big and enthusiastic fan bases.
“This fight has all the elements boxing fans could wish for. And it’s all in one fight. We’ll see you on July 29.”
Spence vs. Crawford will be highlighted by three episodes of the Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS from SHOWTIME Sports with ALL ACCESS: SPENCE VS. CRAWFORD Episode One premiering on Saturday, July 8 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and Episode Two debuting on Saturday, July 15 at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT with an Epilogue after the fight.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by Man Down Promotions, TBC Promotions and TGB Promotions, are available through AXS.com.
