By Alan Dawson in Los Angeles
Terence Crawford is a modern day model of boxing’s ‘Four Kings.’
That’s in response to the fighter’s coach Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, and Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, who in contrast Crawford to ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, amongst others.
In Crawford’s final battle, he put an all-time nice beating on his long-time rival Errol Spence Jr., knocking him to the bottom en path to ending him within the ninth spherical of a one-sided drubbing.
With the victory, Crawford turned the undisputed welterweight world champion, and one of many sport’s high three pound-for-pound stars, alongside Naoya Inoue and Oleksandr Uysk.
He returns to the ring Saturday in opposition to Matchroom boxer Israil Madrimov in a WBA tremendous welterweight world title battle that takes place on the 22,000 capability BMO Stadium.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 29: Terence Crawford speaks to Errol Spence Jr. following the World Welterweight Championship bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 29, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Reflecting on the Spence win to Boxing News, ‘Bomac’ proclaimed Crawford’s victory over Spence as “one of the top” wins within the division’s historical past.
“That’s Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, and Ray Leonard,” he instructed us. “That’s one of those wins.”
The Madrimov battle as a part of the Riyadh Season initiative is Crawford’s first bout since dominating Spence in July, final yr.
Though Turki Alalshikh has rolled out the purple carpet, and seemingly spared no expense for a battle week that has seen occasions on Santa Monica’s pier, on the Chinese Theater, and, tomorrow, the house venue of MLS aspect Los Angeles FC, Hearn suggests he deserves the Hollywood therapy — and extra.
“I feel like he should be an American superstar,” Hearn instructed Boxing News and different reporters this week.
“He’s everything that is great about sports and competition, mindset and preparation, and living life like a true great. We should appreciate him while he is here.”
Hearn, like ‘Bomac’ then in contrast him to the ‘Four Kings,’ saying: “He’s like Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, and Sugar Ray Leonard. He’s at that level.”
But, although he holds Crawford in such excessive regard, he doesn’t appear to view him because the winner in Saturday’s showdown, as he lauds Madrimov.
“[Madrimov] is a 154-pound wrecking machine,” stated Hearn. “Not simply with energy and chin however with nice motion, and ring IQ.
“On Saturday, this will be the toughest fight of Terence Crawford’s career, no doubt. You’re going to see a wonderful fight between two modern day greats.”
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