By: Sean Cross
Give it to Terence “Bud” Crawford: he marches to the beat of his own drum. The reigning WBO welterweight world champion was expected to have a legitimate superfight with fellow heavyweight Errol Spence Jr before the end of the year, but to the surprise of fans, negotiations have fallen through. And in a 12-round title fight this weekend in Crawford’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, Crawford has decided to face David Avanesian. It’s a fight that Crawford is expected to win easily, even though the fight is the main event of the pay-per-view card.
The 29-0 fighter has fought many notables over the years – Sean Porter, Kyle Brook, Amir Khan and Victor Posta have all fallen victim to the master fighter. Although naysayers like to argue that Crawford has never fought a top contender (a similar charge was often made against Floyd Mayweather), there is no denying that Crawford has an unusual skill set. And he plans to put on a big show in front of his hometown crowd this Saturday. 29-3-1 Avanesian is not being overlooked.
“I have to train like I’m going to face King Kong on Dec. 10,” Crawford said, “because Avanesian has everything to gain and nothing to lose. I don’t see him because I know he’s going to bring everything on Dec. 10. This is going to be the best Avanesian, so I have to be the best Terence Crawford.” Sure, Avanesian is known to be someone who isn’t afraid to throw down in the ring. At the very least, those who buy Saturday’s pay-per-view card should be treated to an entertaining main event. It’s unlikely that this fight will feel like a winner.
The flamboyant Crawford has indicated that he is still willing to face Spain in the future, but it has been suggested that he and Spence would be fine if they never met in the ring. In other words, the person is completely confident. He has good reason to be. Still, fans want to see a Crawford-Spence fight before everyone goes over the hill. After all, a new breed is growing, and no one stays on top of the pile forever. However, it is Crawford’s work. He can do whatever he wants with it. And no — a trip to the Hall of Fame won’t rest on fighting Spence. Nor should it be.
