Barry McGuigan picks his winner in Terence Crawford vs Errol Spence superfight

28 July 2023 , 13:13

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Undefeated WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford (Image: 2023 Getty Images)

We have been waiting for this calibre of contest since the early Eighties when the four kings fought each other.

The meeting of Terence Crawford and Errol Spence for the undisputed welterweight title in Las Vegas is long overdue but has the ingredients to light up the sport like few since Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler all those years ago.

Crawford is some fighter, 39 fights, 30 knockouts. He has not gone the distance since 2016 when he fought Viktor Postol. And for all his achievements, Ricky Burns might just consider taking Crawford the distance two years earlier in Glasgow one of his finest accomplishments.

That was a lightweight. He has since moved through the divisions without consequence and carried his power with him to welter.

Spence is also unbeaten, 28 fights with 22 knockouts.

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The common opponents are Shawn Porter and Kell Brook. Porter was stopped by Crawford. He was also down against Spence but went the distance.

Crawford had Brook out in four. It took Spence 11 rounds to end it. Some of that is to do with career curves, and meeting fighters at different stages of their careers.

However, Crawford is a magical counter puncher. He fights with guile and precision, hitting the target bang on the money every time. It’s not how hard but where you hit them, and he always manages to find the sweet spot.

I don’t like his smack talk or the way Crawford has been trying to humiliate Spence this week. This fight does not need any top spin to sell it. It speaks for itself.

Undefeated WBC/WBA and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. (2023 Getty Images)

Spence has had a number of issues, which is going to be the difference in this fight. He is tight at the weight and has been less active due to a serious car accident and an unconnected eye injury.

Spence is a tremendous puncher but still the outsider. He can change the complexion of the night but only if he catches Crawford early.

Easier said than done. Crawford is so hard to catch clean. And he has this uncanny ability to lean out of range then come at with you with max power, walking you on to shots.

Uniquely Crawford has the ability to be slick and get involved in exciting fights. Most counter punchers are just that, hard to hit, but don’t try to dominate.

Crawford is not big but he is so destructive. Even if Spence finds him, the picture won’t change. It will just alter the way Crawford wins, either by late stoppage of decision.

Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @mcguigans_gym

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Barry McGuigan