According to Davis, Crawford, at one stage, indicated a willingness to engage – yet nothing ever materialized from it.
“He remarked, ‘Perhaps I’ll return to this weight class to face Boots if he stated, ‘Indeed, Crawford. All those claims you’ve made, I’ll dismantle you.” However, that scenario never came to fruition,” Davis relayed during a discussion with MillCity Boxing.
Obligatory Fighter Designation Failed to Build Impetus
Following Crawford’s decisive victory against Errol Spence, Ennis earned the position of his IBF mandatory challenger. Theoretically, this ought to have compelled the confrontation.
Conversely, Crawford opted to invoke his rematch option with Spence. As a result of this postponed mandatory defense, the IBF divested Crawford of his championship belt and subsequently promoted Ennis to titleholder.
Externally, this chain of events is frequently cited as evidence that Crawford evaded Ennis. Davis holds a differing view, contending that merely being a mandatory challenger is insufficient to sway a combatant of Crawford’s caliber.
There was no intensification of rivalry. No direct clash. No specific juncture that imbued the bout with a sense of personal stakes or urgency.
“Individuals Persistently Mention ‘Boots’”
Davis’ exasperation stems less from championship titles and more from underlying motivation.
“He genuinely undertook no actions to bring about the contest. People continuously bring up ‘Boots.’ I am unable to compel you to do something you are unwilling to do,” Davis remarked. “You may possess exceptional skill, but I cannot force your hand. I don’t observe anyone truly challenging Bud in a way that truly provokes him enough to desire the fight.”
This observation penetrates to the fundamental nature of Crawford’s psychological approach during that particular phase of his professional journey. As per his trainer, no adversary – Ennis included – offered a test deemed valuable enough to warrant the inherent dangers without supplementary enticement.
Crawford Opted for Hazard Mitigation, Not Narrative Alterations
Crawford had the option to endeavor to regain his championship from Ennis within the welterweight division. However, he instead ascended to the 154-pound category and contested Israil Madrimov for the WBA title.
This represented a calculated decision. A more straightforward route. An entirely different weight class.
Subsequently, Crawford candidly characterized a prospective encounter with Ennis as “significant peril, minimal gain,” thereby substantiating Davis’ assertion that the pairing never achieved the necessary motivational threshold.
Bernie’s Allocation of Culpability
Davis is not disputing Crawford’s withdrawal from the contest. He posits that this disengagement was facilitated by a lack of compelling force.
In his estimation, Ennis awaited favorable conditions to bring about the bout rather than compelling Crawford into a direct confrontation.
