Boxing fans pop open a cold one a enjoy the first pay per view quality fight on ESPN in over two decades. Terence Crawford is arguably the best pound for pound boxer in the world right now and Amir Khan, has to take serious chances in this fight to prove him wrong. This should make for an entertaining fight, although the outcome seems rather predictable – but stranger things have happened in the world of boxing.
Terence Crawford is defending his WBO welterweight title for the second time since beating Jeff Horn in June 2018. The American is The Ring’s number two ranked pound-for-pound boxer. Meanwhile, this is Khan’s first world title fight since a KO loss to Canelo Alvarez in 2016.
Considered one of the best pound for pound boxers on the planet, Crawford can switch seamlessly from an orthodox stance to southpaw, the 31-year old has held titles at lightweight, light welterweight and welterweight and is overwhelming favourite going into this fight.
- Khan has a record of 37 fights, 33 wins and four losses, with 20 wins by KO.
- Crawford has won each of his 34 fights, and boasts 25 KO victories.
Khan believes he can out-think Crawford on the day:
“For me to win this fight I have to be on my A-game and make no mistakes. I’m not going to go in there thinking I’m the bigger fighter, my skills will win me this fight, not my size or my power. My IQ will win this one,” he told BT Sport.
“I’m a fully-fledged welterweight who hits hard. I’m am unbeaten welterweight fighter and it’s the weight I feel comfortable at and that I feel strong at. I’ve got the perfect size whereas the other weights might have been too much for me, like when I fought Canelo [Alvarez]”
Crawford respects his opponent:
“This is a big fight. Amir Khan never lost in the welterweight division. He knows what he is doing in the ring. He boxes really good. He is really crafty. He is a veteran. His is going to be a tough fight.”
“I go into the fight looking to get the win. If the knockout comes it comes but that’s not what I am focusing on or looking at. It is boxing so anything can happen. We prepare to go 12 hard rounds and that’s the way we are going to take it.”
Place Your Bets?
- Crawford 1/12
- Khan 7/1
- Draw 25/1
Prediction
Terence Crawford and his camp know that although he doesn’t need a knockout to keep pace in the world rankings, it would be a convincing feather in his cap and would propel him to new heights in the Welterweight division. Crawford doesn’t carry himself with the same swagger as past boxing superstars in the same weight class, i.e., $$$ Mayweather.
Crawford does his talking in the ring, and he’ll do it here by dealing with the speed of Khan early, dominating the early rounds and forcing a stoppage in the 8th. Watch for Crawford to force the issue for a KO which may open a few windows of opportunity for Khan to counter, which could make this an exchange of bombs. Crawford still takes it and remains undefeated.