Since Crawford captured the WBO welterweight title in his first fight at 147 pounds in June 2018, a TKO victory over Jeff Horn, there had been calls for a summit meeting against Spence. For years, one impediment loomed large: rival promoters.

The Ring has confirmed that talks are ongoing for Crawford to face recently crowned WBA 154-pound titlist Israil Madrimov. The fight is earmarked to take place on Aug. 3 in the greater Los Angeles area, should a deal be reached.

"I’ve been feeling the buzz for this fight. Anywhere I go they’ve been asking me about this fight. I knew I had to make it happen. This is what everyone wanted. We have to prove who the man is in the welterweight division and in boxing. The winner of this fight is the best fighter in boxing – period.

The moment @terencecrawford became UNDISPUTED CHAMPION OF THE WORLD