Crawford steps onto the big stage this April.
It is funny to think that Terence Crawford needs Amir Khan.
After all the fighters the undisputed light welterweight champion has run through, Crawford was lacking a counterpoint. As a result, he stepped to Errol Spence backstage at a fight trying to force a potential future pairing.
With Spence getting ready for Mikey Garcia, that fight is a long road from the present. Instead, Crawford’s promoter at Top Rank, Bob Arum looked across the pond and delivered a true gem in Khan.
The former British silver medalist (Athens 2004) and former unified light-welterweight world champion. Khan has knocked out Zab Judah and Paulie Malignaggi and scored wins over Devon Alexander and Chris Algieri. En route to big losses against Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia, Khan stepped up and faced Canelo Alvarez for the flattening heard around the world.
Still, Khan has always been a gamer, regardless of size and fighting Crawford at welterweight is no different. He was on his way to a world title at welterweight before he braved the ranks of middleweight and its chief slugger in Alvarez.
After fighting twice successfully in 2018, Khan wants to be a world champion again before calling it quits on a decorated career.
Bud Time
Terence “Bud” Crawford has very little critics. He demolished the light welterweight and lightweight ranks, advancing into the welterweight division taking the WBO belt from Jeff Horn.
Having successfully defended against Jose Benavidez, Jr., his only critique from fans has been the level of competition. Ask Bob Arum and he will tell you that the only roadblock in Crawford’s career is Al Haymon.
🗣 @BobArum on Al Haymon and the state of boxing promotion. pic.twitter.com/R4ouqjyOXH
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) January 15, 2019
Haymon has a virtual monopoly on popular welterweights since Floyd Mayweather, Jr. was in the game. With this Premier Boxing Champions platform, Haymon has caught the ire of the boxing world which feels frozen out.
Still, although extremely difficult, fights can be made and Crawford facing Khan is what is needed to bring his superstar to the forefront. Win, lose or draw, Khan vs Crawford is a perfect promotional and athletic test for both.
