The recent feud between Terrence Crawford and Bob Arum has garnered everyone’s attention. Terrence Crawford, the current WBO World Welterweight Champion, had decided to end his professional relationship with Bob Arum’s promotional company Top Rank. The Nebraska resident has launched a case against Arum, demanding a $10 million restitution settlement.
Crawford signed a contract with Top Rank in 2011. Ever since then, he has achieved several notable milestones, including becoming World Champion in three separate weight categories (Lightweight, Superlightweight, and Welterweight) and the Unified World Superlightweight Champion. He currently holds the WBO World Welterweight belt. Crawford is now regarded among the world’s top Pound for Pound boxers, owing to his 38-0-0 (29 KO) record. In his final fight, he beat ex-World Champion Shawn Porter by TKO in November 2021.
But now Crawford has sued Top Rank in Nevada’s Eighth Judicial District Court and has hired Bryan Freedman as his attorney. According to New York Post, Crawford’s lawsuit states, “Arum clearly allows his revolting racial bias to impact the fighters he is obliged to promote. Simply does not care about, support, or know how to promote Black fighters. It is painfully clear that Top Rank, and especially Arum, judges people based on their race. Arum’s sordid history with athletes of color, especially Black fighters, and his bias favoring white and Latino fighters is well-documented and known throughout the boxing world.”
On the other hand, Arum has said, “Don’t call a man a racist when really this is because of your own failures. His marketability didn’t measure up to this ability and that has absolutely nothing to do with what race he is…The outstanding fact is that Terence’s numbers on PPV have always been dreadful because of his failure to market himself.”
Many well-known faces although have come out in support of Arum. George Foreman, who is amongst the best heavyweight fighters of all time, completely objects to Terrence Crawford’s claims against Bob Arum and revealed his personal working experience with the Top Rank head.
“He’s not a saint, but Bob Arum is one of the finest men I know,” said Foreman while talking to Yahoo Sports. He further said, “You could call me about 25 other guys, 30 other guys, and ask me that question and I wouldn’t return the call. But not this one. Nuh-uh. He’s got a passion for his fellow man.”
Bob Arum sponsored George Foreman’s return to boxing after a 10-year hiatus, and he was present as he became the oldest competitor to win a World Heavyweight title. As a black fighter, he claims he hasn’t ever experienced racism from Arum.
Not only that but legendary boxer Mohammed Ali’s daughter, Rasheda Ali too tweeted her support in favor of the 90-year-old promoter.
Bob Arum stood with my father when the world was against him. Bob @BobArum and my father are a big reason why Black and Brown athletes are fairly compensated today. Proud that my son Nico Ali Walsh is part of Team Top Rank @trboxing pic.twitter.com/ylyNHwmr1z
— RASHEDA ALI™ (@rashedaali) January 13, 2022
Jimmy Burchfield Sr., a longtime boxer posted his thoughts on her tweet. He said, “Great words Rashida, Bob is a great guy, and Top Rank is a terrific company. We are rooting for your son. Your father was number one, GodBless.”
There are many comments under her tweet that appear to be negative saying that the legendary boxer’s daughter needs to save her job and this is the reason she is tweeting in favor of the Top Rank chairman.
However, while commenting on the entire feud Arum stated, “Crawford’s lawsuit against Top Rank is frivolous. Its vile accusations of racism are reckless and indefensible. He knows it and his lawyer knows it. I have spent my entire working life as a champion of black boxers, Latino boxers and other boxers of color. I have no doubt the court will see Crawford’s case for the malicious extortion attempt that it is.“
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