The boxing world is bracing itself for an electrifying battle between two of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters, Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford. This impending duel on Saturday transcends the ordinary A-side buffoonery that boxing usually produces, and promises a thrilling welterweight matchup for the undisputed championship of the world. From the moment the first bell rings, the action will keep fans and media alike on the edge of their seats.
Crawford, of Omaha, Nebraska, is known for his ambidextrous ways of engagement, strong mindset and strategic command to make quick adjustments on the fly, which poses a challenge that few opponents can decipher. Crawford’s effortless switch between stances confuses opponents and tests their boxing intellect. His masterful control of distances sparks his counterpunching ability. To add, Crawford’s unruffled temperament and tactical brilliance make him a daunting generational talent.
Spence is known for his relentless offensive dominance and ferocious fundamental fighting style. The Texas-built champion is seen as an unstoppable force, and just like Crawford, he has yet to taste defeat. The three-belt unified champion is remarkable. His devastating body attacks debilitate his opposition with a constant flow of torture. His discipline in technique befuddles the competition, propelling him to the pinnacle of boxing.
Spence vs. Crawford will not be merely a test of brute strength or physical endurance. Physical and mental preparation are key elements for a perfect outcome, but they are only one part of the winning equation. Although there will be two dominant forces inside the ring who go about their business differently, I foresee more of a chess match, testing each fighter’s tactical and technical fitness. This fight will test their mental toughness and strategic superiority.
The crowned victor will need to not only find a way to hurt his adversary and outpunch him but also outsmart him by making sound, marginalized adjustments showing adaptability while exploiting opportunities given and created at all-out fight speed.
The Spence vs. Crawford battle will be a high-octane, adrenaline-fueled superfight that will rewrite and add to boxing’s rich history.
Spence, the surgeon
Spence is similar to Crawford: a man of few words who goes about his business. He is not a man who ignores details. In one scene of the first episode of Showtime’s “All Access: Spence vs. Crawford,” where cameras follow the two combatants around during training camp and promotional tour, Crawford stood side by side with Spence, and Crawford’s trainer Brian “Bomac” Mcintyre was doing his usual rant about Crawford frying Spence and not forgetting the hot sauce. Spence calmly said Crawford doesn’t eat hot sauce, which puzzled Crawford — leaving him speechless and wondering how Spence knew that detail.
In the next scene, Crawford was sitting in a vehicle with his team, asking them who leaked his non-desire of hot sauce. Reflecting on this interaction, Spence gave off the vibes of an exceptional heart surgeon — precise and focused, detail-oriented when examining patients.
I immediately thought: If Spence knew Crawford doesn’t eat hot sauce, what else does he know? I’m almost certain he has studied Crawford’s every move, including his footwork, punch variety and strategy, just to identify any of Crawford’s weaknesses and strengths. Champions never stop learning. In Spence’s latest battle in April 2022, he showed improved stamina and conditioning. He displayed ruthless determination in stopping Yordenis Ugas with 1:44 left in the 10th round with a barrage of hard shots, beating him into submission. I would compare Spence’s jab to a scalpel used in surgery. Spence’s jab slices through the air and lands on his opponent’s face with unsurpassed accuracy and precision. It dictates everything in his arsenal, allowing him to do whatever he wants inside the ring.
Spence’s main mission is to chop and break down his opponents to the body, sucking the life out of them with one punch at a time. However, there is a strong chance something can happen unexpectedly in the ring, so quick thinking and adjusting are musts.
Crawford, the Rubik’s cube
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Crawford: My goal is to become undisputed welterweight champ
Terence “Bud” Crawford says when people look back at the best welterweights ever, Errol Spence Jr. and his name will be mentioned.
Spence remains flexible under pressure inside the ring — fast-thinking and solving problems that may arise. He showed his adaptability against Shawn Porter in the 11th round in their 2019 fight, dropping him to his knees with a looping left hand that turned a hard-fought fight into a favorable outcome.
Spence carries attributes like analytical skills, adaptability, dedication and a sharp jab, but fighting Crawford is like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube. Crawford is known for his versatility and adaptability. Solving a Rubik’s cube requires manipulation and adjustments to its sides. Crawford switches stances seamlessly while using various combinations in different moments throughout fights, constantly adjusting his approach.
Just like handling a mysterious colored cube, facing Crawford requires precise strategy, planning and sharp, accurate maneuvering. Crawford strategically moves around the squared circle using precise footwork and angles, unleashing pinpoint powerful counters that can abruptly stop his opponents. His positioning allows him to dictate the fight’s pace on his terms.
He possesses superb athleticism and hand-eye coordination, balance and explosive punching power. Crawford’s boxing style often involves combinations of complex patterns and nuance. He strings together predetermined punch sequences based on what he sees from different angles and speeds to overwhelm or confuse his opponents.
Again, like the patterns on a Rubik’s cube and the algorithm used to solve it, Crawford’s combinations are placed and crafted to execute and eliminate any target. Will Crawford’s style have enough complexity to defuse Spence’s surgical ways?
Crawford should look for: Body attacks
Crawford is poised to dominate by strategically targeting Spence’s vulnerable body. With Spence boasting a substantial upper torso, Crawford will have an ample surface area to exploit.
By relentlessly attacking this area, Crawford will effectively weaken Spence, sapping his energy and slowing him down. This calculated approach will create opportunities to unleash devastating headshots and gain an immediate advantage. Crawford, who’s always ready to seize the upper hand, should demonstrate mastery by prioritizing his attack to Spence’s body for maximum impact and effect.
Spence should look for: Patience
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Spence: Fight with Crawford is a ‘legacy-defining fight’
Errol Spence Jr. discusses how his upcoming fight with Terence Crawford will impact their legacies in boxing.
Spence should exercise patience when facing Crawford, employing his impeccable jab to launch his attacks. This approach becomes particularly significant when Crawford uses the southpaw stance, as a closed-stance battle allows ample freedom for both fighters’ lead hands to maneuver unhindered. Disturbing Crawford’s rhythm and disrupting his timing become vital in negating his formidable counterpunches.
X factor
The resilience to absorb and recover from powerful punches emerges as the pivotal key factor in this contest, as both pugilists adapt their real-time strategies. This Spence-Crawford clash will unfurl as an unceasing test of tactical acumen, with devastating blows hurtling through the air. A solitary knockdown can significantly sway the scorecards, while a resounding knockout obliterates any potential miscues attributable to flawed judging, something we have been seeing a lot lately. Whoever shows the most resilience may ultimately win the battle.
Who wins?
I find it hard to pick a winner without being biased, as Crawford is a longtime friend of mine. Still, my job is to tell the truth. Spence possesses several skills that can disrupt a sound counterpuncher like Crawford, who usually feeds off the mistakes of a traditional volume puncher. However, Spence isn’t your typical volume puncher. He systematically breaks down his opponents, starting with his jab. Spence throws a sturdy jab with technical pressure that can be used to stall Crawford’s offense. His consistent jab can frustrate a prolific counterpuncher of Crawford’s nature, forcing him to reset — often — and not allowing him to initiate or deliver a counter as often as he would like.
Spence’s disciplined boxing fundamentals applied to his solid defensive habits can make even the most patient and seasoned fighter erratic, frustrated and impatient. Spence can utilize his footwork to cut off the ring, isolating Crawford’s biggest weapon — his footwork — and forcing him into a disadvantageous position and limiting his countering opportunities.
Furthermore, Spence’s physical force, in terms of his punching strength and the weight behind his punches, could break down Crawford, causing him to become stationary. Perhaps I see what Spence’s fans see and why they pick him to defeat Crawford. But one thing is for sure: Personally, I don’t know one person who can take down a Rubik’s cube.
Ian Parker’s best bet
After years in the making, we finally have the two best welterweight fighters in the world getting ready to compete and unify their titles. This will arguably be the most popular fight in boxing since Tyson Fury fought Deontay Wilder, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
This fight is as close as you are going to see in a title fight, and it’s truly unbelievable how well they match up. Where Spence maybe will have the advantage in size and power, Crawford has the advantage in speed and versatility, and we could go back and forth on skill for skill all day long with these two elite fighters. The question is: How do we bet this fight?
Currently Crawford sits at -155 (according to Caesars Sportsbook), and I don’t disagree with that number for someone who has top-tier defense and will be the better counterpuncher. However, if you want to get a better number, taking Crawford by decision will get you anywhere from +180 to +200. Another option, if you are having a hard time leaning toward one fighter or the other (and with this fight, that is completely understandable): At -205, you can bet that the fight goes the distance, as I don’t see either fighter knocking the other out.
Predictions: Crawford to win (-146)/Crawford by decision (+165)/Fight goes the distance (-210).