Crawford - Brook

[SWC75]

Kell Brook, who got his face broken by Gennadiy Golovkin. and Errol Spence, again went down to one of the great ones, getting bombed out by Terrence "Bud" Crawford in four rounds. At least he probably won't need titanium implants this time. The fight was basically even up to the sudden ending. Crawford is cautious early in fights and Brook was careful as well. Brook was scoring with his jab until Bud switched to southpaw, which neutralized it. I graded the first round even, gave the second to Brook and the third to Crawford. Then in the fourth, Crawford landed a jab right on brook's nose and Kell stiffened up, then staggered across the right and wound up between the ropes. Crawford got in a couple of shots before the referee gave him a standing 8 count. Crawford them resumed his assault with Brook not responding, just covering up. the ref stopped it. Brook wasn't down or out on his feet. He just didn't want o fight any more. I think the jab just shoved his nose into his face and caused him such pain, (and possibly exacerbated his previous injuries), that he couldn't go on.

The fight didn't really tell us anything about Crawford we didn't already know. He can change strategies to suit his opponent and can fight with either hand. He's fast, can punch and has a longer reach, (74 inches) that even taller guys like Brook. After the fight Bob Arum claimed that that if Spence ever fought Crawford, the same thing would happen to him, in the same way. If Spence is fully over his auto accident, that's unlikely. I think they are the two best fighters going to day and a confrontation with Crawford, (which might turn out to be a trilogy) would be the most memorable thing in boxing in this era.

 

[JAXCUSE]

Had high hopes for this one - thought maybe Brook would give Crawford a decent test. Kell always gave a gritty, professional account and took on the best opposition available. Afraid Teddy Atlas was right with his pre-fight analysis though - not much punch resistance left after facial reconstruction. Glad Kell got that one last retirement payday though - good for him. And the fight was on free TV... I’ll give Top Rank credit for that...

Bad look for the Nevada Commission during the Franco-Moloney undercard replay... Didn’t see a butt. Thought Moloney closed that eye with a jab (maybe seam of the glove near the thumb) and a left hook. Shoulda been Moloney TKO...

I think Crawford is immensely talented - one of the best P4P in the sport for the last 5 yrs or so. Hall Of Fame caliber fighter without a Hall of Fame caliber career defining win, however. At 33 yrs of age, the clock is ticking. Arum was full of bombast during the post fight interview, claiming Bud was the equal of SRL and Tommy Hearns. Maybe so, but SRL, Hearns, Hagler and Duran didn’t let promoter contracts keep them from fighting each other... Facts are facts - the premier 147 lb talent is in Haymon’s, not Top Rank’s stable. Bud made good career money with Arum and beat some very good (not great though) opponents. He needs to tell Uncle Bob it’s time to sit down with PBC. Forget Pacquiao, take less money and make the Spence fight next year (assuming he beats Danny Garcia - a very live opponent). If Arum and Al can’t get it done, do what Kell Brook did and go after the brass ring - call boxing’s biggest free agent (Canelo) and challenge him at 160. Heck of a Cinco De Mayo event there. Bottom Line, I think Crawford needs to take care of legacy before his prime erodes. He needs to force it and not just leave his fate in Arum’s hands. You wanna be remembered as great, you better beat (at least fight) the other guy (Spence) with the same claim.

 

[SWC75]

Had high hopes for this one - thought maybe Brook would give Crawford a decent test. Kell always gave a gritty, professional account and took on the best opposition available. Afraid Teddy Atlas was right with his pre-fight analysis though - not much punch resistance left after facial reconstruction. Glad Kell got that one last retirement payday though - good for him. And the fight was on free TV... I’ll give Top Rank credit for that...

Bad look for the Nevada Commission during the Franco-Moloney undercard replay... Didn’t see a butt. Thought Moloney closed that eye with a jab (maybe seam of the glove near the thumb) and a left hook. Shoulda been Moloney TKO...

I think Crawford is immensely talented - one of the best P4P in the sport for the last 5 yrs or so. Hall Of Fame caliber fighter without a Hall of Fame caliber career defining win, however. At 33 yrs of age, the clock is ticking. Arum was full of bombast during the post fight interview, claiming Bud was the equal of SRL and Tommy Hearns. Maybe so, but SRL, Hearns, Hagler and Duran didn’t let promoter contracts keep them from fighting each other... Facts are facts - the premier 147 lb talent is in Haymon’s, not Top Rank’s stable. Bud made good career money with Arum and beat some very good (not great though) opponents. He needs to tell Uncle Bob it’s time to sit down with PBC. Forget Pacquiao, take less money and make the Spence fight next year (assuming he beats Danny Garcia - a very live opponent). If Arum and Al can’t get it done, do what Kell Brook did and go after the brass ring - call boxing’s biggest free agent (Canelo) and challenge him at 160. Heck of a Cinco De Mayo event there. Bottom Line, I think Crawford needs to take care of legacy before his prime erodes. He needs to force it and not just leave his fate in Arum’s hands. You wanna be remembered as great, you better beat (at least fight) the other guy (Spence) with the same claim.

If we can't get Crawford-Spence just yet Crawford-Pacquiao would be a nice consolation. But Spence has to be the main goal.