Much of the hype surrounding boxing these days revolves around the heavyweight division. Of course, this is due to the large personalities to match the gargantuan size in the division—the last few fights from Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua, and Oleksandr Usyk have generated massive interest from fans.
However, some huge fights are coming up in other weight divisions, none more prominent than between Terence Crawford and Shawn Porter for the WBO welterweight title. The bout will have rippling effects for the division, but what can fans expect?
Crawford
Crawford is no stranger to championship fights, having held multiple titles across his illustrious career. Moving through weight classes over the years has him now, in probably the prime of his career, heading into the match with a 37-0 record, including 28 knockouts. His dominance in the ring makes him the odds-on favourite, priced at 1/7 odds, compared to 4/1 for Porter when betting on boxing in the current outright markets. His superior striking power, ring IQ, fast hands, and marginal advantage in reach have many people tipping Crawford to come out on top.
He naturally has a southpaw stance but is more than competent in switching between orthodox. With so much experience, he has developed an effective defensive strategy along with a powerful counter-punching. Before capturing the WBO welterweight title, he was the WBO, WBC, IBF, WBA (Super) and Ring light-welterweight titles. A true master in the squared circle, he will be a truly formidable opponent.
Shawn Porter
Porter is no slouch in the ring himself, with an impeccable 31-3-1 record and 17 KOs. He is a decorated fighter in his own right; he has held the IBF, WBO and WBC welterweight title. However, unlike Crawford, he has moved down in weight class from where he began. When he first set foot in the ring, he was a middleweight before moving to light middleweight and eventually welterweight. With this, it developed his aggressive style, predicated on a high work rate and physical pressure.
It will inevitably be a clash of combat styles, where Crawford will want to counteract Porter’s overwhelming physical presence. If Porter wants to overcome Crawford’s superior boxing and punching power, he will have to make his physicality be a constant menace and wear him down.
Porter will also need to overcome the mental aspect coming into this fight. He may have won his last contest, but he lost the one before that to Errol Spence, a title match. He needs to have a solid psychological edge coming in and not become unnerved in early rounds.
Who will win?
As a fight, it will be an exciting contest with a clash of styles. It will also be interesting to develop the division and possibly initiate a unifying title fight with Spence. Many unfolding storylines comes with whatever outcome may happen and should make an explosive fight for viewers. Nevertheless, regarding the result, it will be very tight to call. However, with Crawford’s record and superior technical skills, it appears he would be the competitor that is likely to come out on top.