Errol Spence Jr and Keith Thurman are "probably" going to fight each other in the first half of 2023, according to boxing journalist Dan Rafael.
It comes after fans were left disappointed with Terence Crawford's announcement that he will fight David Avanesyan on December 10 at Omaha Health Center.
What is the latest news involving Errol Spence Jr vs Keith Thurman?
But now the WBA has officially confirmed that it has approved a request for Spence to fight Thurman in the month of February.
Spence, who holds the WBC, WBA and IBF world welterweight titles, was recently ordered by the WBC to make a mandatory defence against Thurman.
READ MORE: Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr 'not to blame' for collapse in negotiations
A WBA statement read: "On November 14, 2022, TGB Promotions applied for special permission on behalf of Spence to fight Thurman in February 2023, but with specific mandatory conditions.
Dan Rafael says Errol Spence Jr is 'probably' going to fight Keith Thurman
"Pursuant to WBA rule C.16, which states that mandatory defense periods can be modified for cause, either by special permission request or on its own initiative, the WBA decided that Spence can face Thurman.
"The winners of these bouts will square off in the near future to determine the pioneer body’s sole 147-pound champion.
"The winner of the Spence-Thurman bout is obligated to meet the winner of Stanionis-Ortiz.
"This ruling supersedes all previous rulings and any issues that arise along the way will be resolved under WBA rules."
READ MORE: Usyk, Inoue, Spence: Terence Crawford names his top five pound for pound fighters
Will Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford fight in 2023?
As far as Rafael is concerned, for now that appears unlikely.
In an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT.com, he said: "Crawford made the point in the video he did a few weeks ago that because of his freedom in terms of a promotional contract and broadcast contract that and to quote the famous Floyd Mayweather quote that he used so many times, I'm my own boss, and he makes the point that Spence isn't his own boss.
"In the end, Spence will get some other fight, most probably against Thurman, maybe Stanionis or whatever, and life will move on.
"It looks like we're going to get Thurman next then maybe Stanionis before the end of the year.
"Of course the one we all want to see is Crawford but that doesn't look like it's happening anytime soon."
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