Spence vs Crawford: Boxing insiders’ predictions
The wait is finally over. After years of talk Errol Spence and Terence Crawford are finally set to meet and decide who the best welterweight – and maybe the best fighter in the entire sport- truly is. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.
Both fighters are unbeaten – Spence is 28-0 with 22 knockouts and Crawford has 39 straight victories with 30 stoppages – and both appear to be at the peak of their powers.
Texan, Spence, has been a world champion since beating Kell Brook and he will put his IBF, WBC and WBA belts on the line. Crawford is the WBO champion and has been dominating opposition since taking Ricky Burns lightweight title in 2014. ‘Bud’ moved up to become the undisputed king of the 140lb division and has looked imperious at welterweight.
Will Spence’s natural size, brutal body punching and unhurried approach prevail or will the versatile Crawford have too many tricks and too much know how? It is a fight which has absolutely everything. Boxing doesn’t get any better. Spence is priced at 6/5 whilst Crawford is a slight favourite at 7/10.
This is the best and most important welterweight clash since Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad met and with opinions split on who will emerge victorious from a true super-fight, 32Red asked some boxing insiders for their takes.
JOSH WARRINGTON – Two-time IBF Featherweight world champion
It’s a brilliant fight. It’s gonna have the whole world of boxing tuned in to it. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m gonna edge towards Spence. I think Crawford is a brilliant technical boxer – as is Spence – but I just think there’s gonna be a bit more spite in there. A few people have tried to get me to change my mind with everything Spence has been through. I don’t know what it is that’s making me go towards Spence but I’ve just got a feeling that he’ll do the business and take it on points.
ANTHONY CROLLA – British and WBA lightweight world champion
I can’t wait for this. I’m going for ‘Bud’. For me, one of the most impressive things that he has is how he can adapt and his versatility in the ring. I see him being just a step ahead of Spence throughout. I’ve said it for a while that I’ve no idea how Spence makes welterweight but he keeps doing it and this fight, I just think Crawford starts fast, Spence is always playing catch-up, and Crawford wins well on points. I think he wins a little bit easier than people think too. I think we’ll see a bit of a masterclass from him.
STEVE WOOD – Head of VIP Promotions and manager
Probably one of the most 50:50 fights ever, never mind just recent times. I’m really, really struggling with a prediction on this. I love both the fighters and love both of their styles. I can’t wait to watch this one. I’m gonna have to go for a winner though and I’ll go for Crawford. Maybe just his little bit of tactical nous will see him through.
DENZEL BENTLEY – British middleweight champion and world title challenger
This is definitely the biggest fight of my generation of boxing. Two of the best welterweights in the world. Both great athletes and both great fighters. I think I’m siding with Crawford though, not just because I’m a fan of his. I think he has more to his game. He can box in both stances – orthodox or southpaw – he can box going forwards or backwards and I think his physicality is underrated. I think his history as a wrestler will play a part.
Spence is big and strong but I think Crawford will be able to handle himself on the inside. Spence will try and use his size and strength, I know he’s a smart boxer too – you have to be to be at that level. But I think Crawford’s smarter. If he’s finding trouble trying to find a way in fighting right handed, he’ll go left handed and if he has trouble fighting left handed, he’ll go right handed. I think he’s got more options in his arsenal and his strength and power is underrated. I don’t see anybody getting stopped so I’m picking Crawford on points.
STEVE LILLIS – Boxing journalism royalty
It’s a fight that everybody has been waiting for. It’s a super-fight but it doesn’t have that mainstream feel that a lot of the previous welterweight unifications have had. We’ve just about got it in time. Another 12 months and it might have been too late. It would have been nice to see it two years earlier, then whoever wins could have gone on and had a reign as a dominant champion.
I’ve been big on Crawford since I first saw him on BoxNation. He stepped into a fight on short notice against Breidis Prescott and was expected to lose but won. He hasn’t had the build up from the start that Spence has had. I’ve always been big on Crawford for this fight. He’s very sharp and can catch you when you’re not expecting it. He might be smaller but he’s a lot more agile and slicker. I go for Crawford on a unanimous points decision in what might not be an all-time classic fight but one we’ll remember for a long time.
ANDY CLARKE – Top boxing commentator
I seem to have been thinking about this fight for weeks and weeks. It’s such a good fight. I think whoever wins goes to the top of the pound for pound rankings because we’ve had a lot of fights for undisputed over the past few years but this one is between guys who are right at the top of their game.
I give Crawford a bit of an edge because he’s been a bit more active going into it than Spence. Previously, I would have always picked Spence because I feel like he’s done more at welterweight. I still feel that, I just wonder whether the car accident, the injury and long lay-offs might have taken some toll on him. not necessarily if he’s a dedicated guy – and we believe he is – who’s spent a lot of time in the gym then ring rust doesn’t need to be such a big thing.
Having said that – and it’s probably because I’ve seen Spence up close against Kell Brook and Shawn Porter whereas I’ve not seen Crawford quite as much – if I had to pick for no particularly good reason, I’d pick Spence. What I hope is that as we get into the last few rounds, it comes down to a good old fashioned battle of wills where these two just have to try and break each other. I’d love to see that. I think the corners could play a big role. On big nights it can come dow to very fine margins. I just think it’s going to deliver and be a terrific fight but I’ll go for Spence on points.
RYAN GARNER – Featherweight prospect
I’ll be watching. I do think Crawford’s gonna win. Spence is quality on the inside but Terence Crawford can do both can’t he? He can fight inside and at range. I just think he’ll be a bit more cute. He can do a bit of everything whereas Spence is more of a come forward fighter. Don’t get me wrong, there will be times in there where Spence is giving it to him a bit. Crawford’s got that nice southpaw jab and I just think he’ll be a bit better on the outside. It’s one of those where you could wake up tomorrow and think Spence and then the next day pick Crawford. It’s a proper 50:50 fight.
FINAL COUNT – SPENCE 2 CRAWFORD 5
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