Stephen Espinoza says he will not stop trying to make Errol Spence Jr. vs Terence Crawford so long as both fighters are active.  

In a recent interview on the Boxing with Chris Mannix Podcast, Espinoza, the president of Showtime Sports, offered some measured optimism as it relates to cutting a deal between the two fighters for the undisputed welterweight championship.

Boxing fans were greeted with disappointing news at the end of last year when Spence and Crawford, who had been in what seemed like promising negotiations, failed to consummate a deal. Crawford went his own way, deciding to face David Avanesyan in December; Crawford won by sixth-round technical knockout.

Spence, who as a result of the bungled talks only fought once last year, is expected to return to the ring later in the spring, presumably against Keith Thurman in a fight that could take place at the 154-pound limit.

Spence, 33, is backed by Al Haymon of Premier Boxing Champions, which has an exclusive output deal with Showtime, while Crawford, 35, is a free agent.

Recently, there have been indications that Crawford could possibly link up with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. Crawford is reportedly in talks with the company to fight Alexis Rocha. Last week, BoxingScene.com reported that the WBO formally ordered that bout.

Despite that development, Espinoza was “more optimistic than not” in seeing a Spence-Crawford fight, if not next, then sometime down the line. Espinoza stated unequivocally that he would not stop trying to find a way to make the fight work, so long as both fighters remain

“I would say six and a half (out of ten),” Espinoza said when asked to put a number on Spence-Crawford happening. “I think I’m more optimistic than not that it does happen. I know there’s still interest. I know there’s still a desire on the Spence side. I believe Crawford when he says he’s interested as well. As long as no one has given up, and I don’t think anyone has, there are certainly obstacles. The Rocha [fight] the sanctioning body ordered being one of them.

“But I’m not gonna give up. I’m not gonna give up until  either one of them or both of them are retired.”