WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford (33-0, 24 KOs) is looking ahead to his next ring return, which is likely taking place on an ESPN televised date in October.
Crawford, after capturing world titles at lightweight and junior welterweight, moved up to the welterweight division earlier this month.
He stopped undefeated 2012 Australian Olympian Jeff Horn in nine rounds to capture the WBO title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Some of the options for Crawford upcoming return include undefeated contender Jose Benavidez and WBA "regular" welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse - if he beats Manny Pacquiao next month in Malaysia. Matthysse will also become an option if the event with Pacquiao falls apart.
But, the opponent that everyone wants to see Crawford face is IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence (24-0, 21 KOs) - who many view as the best fighter in the welterweight division.
Spence was also in action earlier this month, when he blew away mandatory challenger Carlos Ocampo in a single round in a hometown main event in Texas.
Crawford expects the contest to take place at some point down the line, but for the moment the contest is not big enough to where it should be.
"In the future it will happen. But right now, you know, we've got other fights until that one gets bigger," Crawford told TMZ.
Crawford's promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, advised BoxingScene.com in a recent interview that a unification with Spence would need further building and wouldn't be likely until the end of next year at the earliest.
Arum believes Crawford vs. Spence is without question a pay-per-view event - especially when considering the necessary salaries to make the fight. In order to make that contest a legit pay-per-view attraction, Arum wants to see each boxer have a few more fights in the weight division to further build that demand.
