Unbeaten WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford headlines the big fight card this week. Crawford (35-0, 26 KOs) is as much as a 25:1 favorite to defeat mandatory challenger ”Mean Machine” Egidijus Kavaliauskas (21-0-1, 17 KOs) on Saturday at Madison Square Garden as part of a special ESPN-televised tripleheader that will begin immediately following the 2019 Heisman Trophy Presentation
The telecast will also feature a world title shot for unbeaten lightweight sensation Teofimo Lopez (14-0, 11 KOs), who is a 2:1 favorite to seize the IBF belt from world champion Richard Commey (29-2, 24 KOs), plus featherweight Michael “Mick” Conlan (12-0, 7 KOs) in a revenge match against Vladimir Nikitin (3-0, 0 KOs), who eliminated him in a highly controversial 2016 Olympic quarterfinal bout.
Kavaliauskas probably has a better shot against Crawford than Hogan did with Charlo. That is, Kavaliauskas has a better shot to quit on his stool sometime between the end of round 7 to the end of round 10. If Kavaliauskas makes into the 11th, I’d say he has a good shot to make the full 12 rounds. Can’t see how Kavaliauskas wins on the cards, unless he floors Crawford in like 3 separate rounds, and wins 4 other rounds clearly. Other than that, Crawford wins on the cards, but he probably wins by stoppage in a fight he takes away from kavaliauskas after the 2nd round.
I don’t know. I have reviewed Egidijus Kavaliauskas on YouTube. He has good punch variety from different angles, good footwork, and good head/upper body movement. He is not the standard come forward slugger. I don’t know if he can win but I suspect that he will give Crawford all he can handle and then some.
Crawford is one of the better modern fighters who can switch southpaw and typical orthodox and still beat some a$% in either stance. Pretty impressive considering most fighters today rely on their one dominant stance. Crawford has many tools in his offense and defense that can frustrate and beat most fighters easily. If politics, money, and legal conjecture could stay out of boxing, I think Crawford would have already fought only the best in his divisions. The same point could be compared to the heavyweights. Give the fans what they want; real boxing matches not this predictable tune-up crap to the line the pockets of the hidden promotors.
25-1 is pretty insulting. Insulting to Bob Arum who can’t put good matches to help shape Crawford’s legacy. I believe he is the true P4P best as does Andre Ward. Canelo just passed him and sits at number 1 according to The Ring. All Arum’s future opponents he has lined up for Crawford are all smaller opponents. Arum needs to make it happen with Al so we can see this awesome group of Welters battle it out. Hearn needs to not be such a scumbag too. DAZN isn’t the only network out there and him beating the drum everyone must come through DAZN is a joke.
The real problem is Haymon, man.
Crawford is only in it until it last, fighting no names and living off he beat the man that beat Manny.
His TV ratings stink.
Just tell the PBC guys to fight him.
Not his fault everyone is afraid of him.
Lopez favorite? People are sleeping on Commey. Lopez may have lost his last bout and Commey may as well be undefeated guys, really…
I’ve always had Crawford as the number one in his weight class. He reminds me of Floyd the way he adjusts but he’s more exciting and braver. Which I don’t like all the time because I don’t want him to get overconfident and lose
Agreed. Crawford is one of the best ever. Crawford haters can contact Andre Ward and call him wrong for saying he thinks he’s the P4P number 1.
I’m not so much interested in the Crawford mismatch, but I am interested in the Lopez-Commey fight! The fight is set up to give Lopez the title, but Commey is a tough as nails Ghanan fighter who isn’t going to aquiesce.Both are action fighters and will be interesting to see how Commey responds to the angles and body to head combos Lopez likes to throw, while Commey is pretty much a straight forward head hunter. I’d favor Lopez by late round ko, but Commey can bang as well and is dangerous, even when hurt. He’s one of those guys who looks like he’s about to go down then delivers a knockout blow of his own.
It’s nice to see Crawford again. And I believe that along with the Commey fight we’re in for a fine weekend of boxing. I’d really love for some of the PBC champs to fight Crawford, but I guess that won’t happen because they know they cannot beat him. And Al Haymon is by faaaar the most protective promoter in the game. Those that understand this game want real fighters who are real champs, not the 5 CENT WBA champs every second. Crawford who is P4P #2 or 3, will continue to show everyone that he is the man at Welter, and i would like to see him fight Manny at this time, because Manny has had on some strong wins at Welter. As far as Lopez/Commey is concerned, I think people are over looking this Commey fighter. He is a lot better than people are giving him credit for. Lopez although he is a fine tough fighter, I do not see him just going through Commey, I.M.O this might be a 50/50 fight, with the slight edge going to Lopez but not by much. BTW I hope this kid Mario Barrio 140-147 lbs starts getting the attention he deserves, this kid is something else, might be the new Chavez sr. BTW is anyone else having problems posting on this site? I cannot get on with Safari and always have to use Chrome ?
Commey vs Lopez is the real deal man. Credit Teofimo for taking this fight because Commey can crack. I like Commey probably just because I have not seen Teofimo tested but this could also a big breakout result for Lopez.
First really test for two guys in this card: Kavaliauskas and Lopez. I belive Crawford is too much to handle for Kavaliauskas and Commey shouldn’t be underestimated. He is a real threat for Lopez, specially if he can drag Lopez to deep waters (I mean past the 7 round). I have my reserves about this fight, because of Lopez last fight and the sturdiness of Commey. I am afraid is a bit too early this fight for Lopez. Hope is not.