TERENCE CRAWFORD is set to earn a career-high purse for his next fight… which will NOT be against Errol Spence Jr.
The pair of unbeaten welterweight champions have been in talks over an undisputed blockbuster.
But it will not be next for Crawford, who has signed to face David Avanesyan on December 10 in his home of Omaha.
It come as a massive blow for boxing fans who hoped to see the pound-for-pound stars finally settle the score in the ring.
Crawford told ESPN: “I’m excited about this opportunity. I was really looking forward to the Errol Spence fight.
“I started communicating with Al Haymon and PBC back in June. And unfortunately, they represent a fighter in Errol Spence who didn’t want the fight as bad as I did.
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“I agreed to all of their [B.S.] and they’ve been dragging their ass for months. Spence was nowhere to be found while I was trying to make the deal.
“I explained to Al Haymon and Errol that I was going to fight before the end of the year.
“David Avanesyan is a very tough task. He’s knocked out his last six opponents and this guy is dangerous.
“Once I’m successful against Avanesyan, my plan is still the same: Whoop Errol Spence’s ass.”
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Avanesyan, 34, is the current European champion who in 2021 stopped rising British prospect Josh Kelly, 28, in six rounds.
Hope of a super-fight between Crawford, 35, and Spence, 32, grew when the WBO champion left Bob Arum and Top Rank.
And as a free agent, he was negotiating with boxing mogul Haymon, head of Premier Boxing Champions.
But as talks dragged, Crawford wanted to ensure he returned to the ring before the end of the year having not fought since November.
According to ESPN, the three-weight world champion is in line to receive a ten-figure payday.
Spence could now face his WBA mandatory challenger Eimantas Stanionis, 28, who had agreed to step aside for the proposed unification.
But the Texan has also threatened to move up to light-middleweight.
Spence said to Dallas News: “I got to talk to my manager but I already told them I’m at this weight too long.
“I might be moving up I don’t know. I might be moving up.”
