Before they do battle Saturday on HBO, unified junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford and gold medalist Felix Diaz are on deck this afternoon for the official weigh-in. The live stream opens at 2 p.m. ET. Tomorrow’s HBO card airs at 10:15 p.m. ET.
Since knocking out Yuriorkis Gamboa and winning Fighter of the Year honors in 2014, Terence Crawford has been rightly viewed as one of most talented and versatile fighters in boxing. But the Omaha native and WBO junior welterweight titlist still has challenges ahead. On Saturday night, he attempts the unify by facing the other consensus top fighter in the division, WBC titlist Viktor Postol.
Aside from making deciding the best fighter in the division, the fight holds huge significance for Crawford as it marks his debut as a pay-per-view headliner. In a sport in dire need of a young, homegrown U.S. star, can Crawford fill the void?
When he’ll know he’s the best fighter in boxing.
Crawford: When I’m univerally labeled #1 Pound 4 Pound. I know I’ve arrived, but I’m not where I want to be yet. That’s why I won’t rate myself #1. The rating has to be a combination of both (fans and media). The people didn’t like Mayweather, but they had to respect he was Pound 4 Pound #1.
On facing Viktor Postol on pay-per-view.
Crawford: Well, it was a surprise. But at the same time, it wasn’t something I was worried about. My main concern is that I got the fight. I don’t feel like I cornered him. He’s a champion that wants to fight the best. I’ve been trying to do the same thing. We have the same promoter so we should have got the job done making this fight.
If unifying junior welterweight is still important over bigger matchups at welterweight.
Crawford: Not at all. I feel the winner of this fight will be labeled the best in the division, hands down. The fans, from New York to here in Vegas, have been receiving me very well. My team has been getting great feedback. As for this being my debut main event at the MGM Grand, it don’t matter where we fight — you still have to perform in that ring. We could fight in Mexico. What matters is what you do in the ring.
On being able to fight orthodox and southpaw against Viktor Postol’s style.
Crawford: It doesn’t matter that he’s taller — I have no preference on height. I got the ability to adjust to any fighter. I make my adjustments on the fly and am working on becoming one of greatest fighters of all time.
I don’t know if beating Postol will be enough to get me my second Fighter of the Year. It’s still a long year ahead and can’t worry about that until after I put the work in.
Who did you enjoy punching in the mouth the most?
Crawford: Ah man, Hank Lundy hands down! That was one guy that I really wanted to knock out. Yeah, I said something to him right after [the ref stopped it]. I’ll keep that between me and him — he knows what I said. He was real humble afterward and giving me my respect.
Buy the pay-per-view on Saturday night. It’s going to be a great night of boxing.
Crawford vs. Postol airs Saturday night July 23 on HBO pay-per-view at 9 p.m. ET.
HBO takes an in-depth look at Terence Crawford’s family life and Omaha, Nebraska roots in “My Life.” Crawford faces Viktor Postol on a junior welterweight unification on July 23.
Check out the opening press conference for the July 23 junior welterweight unification matchup between Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol. The live coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET.
NEW YORK CITY — Before a sell-out crowd at Madison Square Garden’s Theater, Terence Crawford got the last word on Hank Lundy via two knockdowns and a fifth round stoppage. What was billed as a grudge match was just that as Crawford weathered an early storm, adjusted, and closed the show in vicious fashion.
In the co-feature, rising Puerto Rican sensation Felix Verdejo remained undefeated with a lopsided but pedestrian win over Willian Silva (which may start rumblings of Verdejo’s deficiencies).
LUNDY HERE TO WIN, BUT OUTCLASSED: Lundy came out guns blazing in the first and rocked Crawford repeatedly with counter hooks and haymakers. Crawford, who seemed surprised by Crawford’s speed and accuracy, struggled to return fire and find his footing.
But as we’ve seen against the likes of Yuriorkis Gamboa, Crawford’s discipline and physical advantages began making their presence known as the fight progressed. The champion’s switch-hitting and longer arms forced Lundy into dangerous situations where he had to lunge recklessly just to get close.
But instead of the downfall beginning with an uppercut ala Gamboa, Lundy’s ruin began with a southpaw straight left. The Philly native was badly buzzed and quickly was planted on the canvas with a left cross.
Lundy made a last stand in the corner, but couldn’t handle the firepower and had to be saved by the referee.
CRAWFORD’S NEXT OPPONENT: Crawford’s promoter Top Rank has already stated they will be pursuing Ruslan Provodnikov as the next title challenger. It’s another mismatch, but a TV friendly bout with a strong likelihood of Provodnikov suffering his first stoppage defeat. It appears no one at HBO nor Top Rank is in a hurry to make the unification bout with their other titlist, Viktor Postol.
VERDEJO AND TEMPERED EXPECTATIONS: Felix Verdejo remains undefeated (20-0, 14 KOs), but now questions of his ceiling are coming after he failed to impress against Willian Silva. On my card, Verdejo won every round. His speed and athleticism had Silva a step behind and reluctant to take any chances. However, the problem for most is that Silva was clearly brought is a showcase opponent. And Verdejo seemed perplexed on how to crack Silva’s defense and looked very sloppy in how he set up his offense (off balance haymakers).
Granted, you’re not going to knock everyone out coming up. But when you’ve been picked to carry the mantle for Puerto Rico that’s previously been held by Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad, then guys like Silva should not be hanging around for 10 rounds and relatively unscathed.
BeatsBoxingMayhem will provide a live stream of today’s weigh-in for Terence Crawford vs. Hank Lundy. The bout will be contested at 140 pounds for Crawford’s WBO title. The match airs this Saturday on HBO at 10 p.m.
FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE RECAP
Watch the live weigh-in for Terence Crawford’s return to his native Omaha against Dierry Jean. The stream goes live at 2 p.m ET. The fight goes down on HBO Saturday October 24 at 9:30 p.m.
