Terence Crawford’s trainer Bernie ‘Tha Boxer’ Davis brought up the past today and berated Bud’s former promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank for not promoting Terence more aggressively than he did to turn him into a star while he was still with him.
Why Arum gave up too soon
Arum tried for years to turn Crawford into a star, but he failed. He was not marketable, and economically it was not worth keeping him. Crawford lacked the charisma outside the ring to make up for what he lacks in the ring.
Terence’s performance against Canelo Alvarez on September 13th was a perfect example of why he didn’t become popular. He is boring to watch. Winning isn’t enough if you’re a dull fighter and the greater American public doesn’t want to watch you. Errol Spence was more popular for a reason. He was aggressive.
Turki’s Formula vs. Top Rank’s
Arum didn’t have the money to blow the way Turki Alalshikh has over Crawford’s career. His hit-and-run fighting style did not resonate with the boxing public, who prefer aggressive, forward fighters. Turki is in a good position where he can afford to lose money. Arum couldn’t do it, and why should he?
There aren’t enough fans in the US who enjoy watching Crawfrord Tom and Jerry style. His good friend, Shakur Stevenson, has the same problem. Fans don’t like watching his dull safety-first style.
Top ranking couldn’t earn Crawford’s wins
“The question is: ‘Do we want to keep him?’ I could build a house in Beverly Hills on the money I lost to him in the last three fights. A beautiful home,” Bob Arum said of Crawford.
Bernie’s whole argument is that Crawford wins. So, his promoters should promote him everywhere. The problem is, it’s not just about winning. Promoters want to monetize their events to get a return on their investments.
Bob Arum and Top Rank promoted Crawford for many years, but he was unable to bring in the revenue until he fought Errol Spence in 2023. By then, Crawford was no longer with Arum. It was the one successful PPV fight Crawford was involved in, and it was because of Spence, not him.
“There are more fighters ready to take your spot, like Shakur Stevenson. He’s ready to take your spot,” trainer Bernie Davis said. MillCity Boxing on his belief that Shakur Stevenson is ready to take Gervonta Davis’ spot as #1 at 135 after he retires.
“I’ll keep shoving Crawford down their throats”
“Why wouldn’t you double Bud Crawford if you’re Bob Arum? I’m going to keep shoving him down their throats. I’m going to put Crawford in a fishing commercial. I’m going to keep putting Crawford on ’cause he hoots a ** when he gets up under the lights. So, I’m going to put Crawford anywhere I can put Crawford.”
Arum was right not to double down
If Bernie had been the one losing money on Crawford’s fights, he would have thought differently. He would have pulled the plug just like Arum did when he started repeatedly losing money.
“I bet they (Top Rank) are biting their a** off now you silly. Shout out to Turki Alalshikh,” says Bernie.
Crawford’s two fights on Turki Alalshikh’s events did not produce the numbers we saw from Jake Paul. His headliner against Israil Madrimov last year on August 3, 2024 brought in only 75,000 to 100,000 pay-per-view buys on DAZN. Additionally, it failed to sell out BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, even with a stacked undercard.
Crawford can’t sell, and Bob Arum did the right thing by not “doubling down” on him by re-signing him. Despite the massive amount of money that Turki took in the Canelo Alvarez vs. Crawford event, it brought in only 41 million viewers on the streaming platform Netflix compared to 108 million viewers for Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson.
Written by Nation Vegas, a Boxing Analyst covering world title fights since 2013.
Last updated on 18/10/2025
