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I can't believe it's finally happening! If you know you knowwww, but if you don't, here are my breakdowns:
Terence Crawford is stepping up to welterweight after killing it at lightweight and then becoming the first undisputed champion since 2003 at light welterweight last year. Arguably the top p4p fighter in boxing today. Ambidextrous, smart, slick, can fight moving forward or backward, usually deconstructs his opponents and makes them lose confidence as the fight wears on or just knocks them out early. Undefeated. He's facing Jeff Horn who got a very questionable 'W' over Manny Pacquiao in Australia (Horn's home) by throwing elbows, headbutts, using headlocks, and tripping that went unaddressed by the ref. If that sounds like I'm exaggerating, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j07uqEiS1-M&lc (comments first, with footage starting at 2:33) Horn got the WBO belt in that fight, and that belt will be on the line tonight. Despite the very dirty win over PacMan all of his wins haven't come like that, and he is undefeated as well. He tends to use size and power to come forward and out-muscle his opponents, but his setup game is also part of his arsenal. His right hand can be sneaky to the uninitiated. His style isn't very complicated, but he hits hard. I'm expecting Crawford to win this one. I'd like to see a KO, but Horn is fairly tough, so there's a chance for a decision.
^^This fight will be on the ESPN+ app. It WILL NOT air on regular ESPN. If you don't have the app, there's a free 7-day trial, after which it's 4.99/month.
Over on ShoBox, there's Jermell Charlo vs Austin Trout on the Leo Santa Cruz vs Abner Mares II undercard (anyone who cares about the main event fight, feel free to give the breakdown lol) Jermell Charlo is the undefeated young lion who recently started training with Derrick James with Errol Spence Jr as his sparring partner. The younger Charlo twin was once considered the lesser, but people are realizing this guy is really the goods. He's knocked everyone out since he started training with James and his boxing skill has improved significantly as he's began thinking more in the ring. Since he won his last fight so early, we haven't really seen him box in over a year. Charlo's WBC belt will be on the line tonight. Austin Trout on the other hand is finally coming off a win after losing two fights to the older Charlo and Jarrett Hurd (two BIG junior middleweights). His only two losses before that were decision losses to Canelo and Erislandy Lara... definitely nothing to sneer at considering he also beat Miguel Cotto. He's top tier and no one to take lightly. He's tried and true. I consider him one of the best of his era. This will be an interesting fight. It's difficult for me to pick here, but I'll go with Charlo just for the sake of making a pick. It won't be easy for him tho. If it is, I'll be very impressed.
What a night for boxing.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Days like this I miss Sha Mecca
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