Terence Crawford is one of the best welterweights I have ever seen. He is by no means big for the weight. He is, however, a brilliant combination puncher with unbelievable shot selection and superb timing.
Think Pernell Whitaker with power. That’s the Holy Grail; power, timing, speed, accuracy. Plus he’s a south paw. That’s your worst nightmare.
The defence of his WBO welterweight crown against David Avanesyan in Ohama will be his 39th professional bout. At 34, there is not a mark on him.
Out of the ring he looks more like a geography teacher, which tells you all you need to know about his technical ability and ring craft.
The fight we all want to see is Crawford against that other era defining talent Errol Spence. No offence to Avanesyan, who is good enough to win a version of the title if you take Spence and Crawford out of it, this bout was always going to be a hard sell after the big one fell through.
Avanesyan is a come forward, attacking fighter with great stamina, a high defence, sound chin and is hard to hit. He is a non-stop boxer, absorbs anything you throw at him then takes the fight away from most mortals.
Crawford is in a different category and it will be interesting to see just how he deals with Avanesyan. Crawford has an uncanny ability to work out how to beat guys. He is also a nasty, ruthless finisher who makes everything look easy. Believe me, it never is. This is unlikely to reach championship rounds.
Josh Warrington continues his second reign as IBF featherweight champion against Luis Alberto Lopez still hoping for that big night in Las Vegas.
A positive showing in Leeds against a genuine threat will tell us if that dream is still achievable. You have to hand it to Warrington, he is a consummate pro. Like I was, he is the result of hard work and dedication but he struggles to make 126 pounds. That adds fragility and risk.
Making weight at 33 takes something out of you. He has 30 hours or so to replenish but at this stage that is never enough.
Lopez has been beaten twice but never stopped. He is a decent puncher if not with the switch out power of Mauricio Lara, who inflicted Warrington’s only defeat. This could be another hard night. I hope for a successful outcome but don’t be surprised if Lopez prevails.
- Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym
