This Saturday sees the return of Terence Crawford as he makes the first defense of his WBO Welterweight title. Challenger Jose Benavidez Jr boasts eye-catching height and reach advantages, along with an unbeaten slate, but will face a huge step-up in class against the revered Pound-for-Pound climber.
Despite the simmering buzz from fans in fight week, this championship event remains the weekend’s highlight. Zolani Tete (WBSS Quarter-Finals) and Lewis Ritson are also in action, topping cards in Russia and England respectively. See our Full Boxing Schedule.
Crawford vs Benavidez
Terence Crawford
Record: 33-0, 24 KO | Age: 31 | Height: 5’8” | Reach: 70” | KO: 73% | Last 5: 5-0, 4 KO
Crawford, BB’s No.2 P4P and No.3 Welterweight, is one of boxing’s smartest, technically masterful operators, and has shown no signs of slowing down at world level where he continues to dominate. The Omaha switch-hitter hasn’t left the radar since notching a breakout win over Ricky Burns in 2014.
Crawford has showcased just about everything you’d want to see from a crisp, cerebral boxer-puncher, and is capable of dealing with a range of styles and physiques. Short, tall, aggressive, awkward or cagey – Crawford seems to have an answer for them all.
Since conquering Burns, Crawford has gone on to unify all four major belts at Junior Welterweight, before moving up to batter WBO Welter titlist Jeff Horn in June. Crawford’s highlights include 12-round shutouts over Raymundo Beltran and Viktor Postol, and stylish stoppages of Yuriorkis Gamboa, Thomas Dulorme, Dierry Jean, Henry Lundy, John Molina Jr, Felix Diaz and Julius Indongo.
Right now, the only thing really missing from Crawford’s profile is a ‘big’ name. Like a Manny Pacquiao or Top 5 Welter like Keith Thurman or Errol Spence Jr. Because, fair or not, Crawford is yet to become a legitimate ‘star’ in the sport. The only question is whether boxing’s top crowd-pulling fighters are willing to face Crawford. First, there’s the issue of Jose Benavidez.
Jose Benavidez Jr
Record: 27-0, 18 KO | Age: 26 | Height: 6’ 2” | Reach: 73” | KO: 67% | Last 5: 5-0, 3 KO
From the little I’ve seen, Benavidez looks like a decent fighter. Can he trouble, ask questions of, or potentially beat Crawford? Man, I’ve no idea. It’s Crawford, so my gut yells “probably not”. Benavidez can box, has good pop behind his punches, and is as physically big as they come at Welter. Despite his unbeaten run, however, we just don’t enough about him; an average to decent-ish record, but wins over Jorge Paez Jr (2015) and aging veteran Mauricio Herrera (2014) are the only highlights.
Though we can’t gauge whether he genuinely has a chance versus Crawford, there are some tangibles really worth paying attention to. At 26-years-old, Benavidez is four-and-a-half-years younger than Crawford, and he also stands six inches taller, with a three-inch reach advantage. It’s something. And that 6’ 2” height – man, that’s taller than some of the world’s leading Super Middleweights. Guy’s big.
And that’s about all I’ve got. I’m not saying Benavidez is bad, good or great – because I just can’t scrape together enough evidence to say one way or the other. In reality, right now, he seems like a Top 20 Welter, and I don’t have much of a problem with the matchup overall. He’s well in his prime, fresh as far as I know, looks capable enough, and is likely a step up for Crawford (following Jeff Horn).
For the record, whether you consider it to be a telling factor or not, the 6′ 2″ Benavidez will be Crawford’s tallest foe to date. And by a good few inches. Julius Indongo (TKO 3, 2017) is 5’ 10.5” and Viktor Postol (UD 12, 2016) 5’ 11”. Do with it what you will.
The Verdict
Once again, it’s hard to know what to expect from Benavidez. Can he rise to the occasion? Can he show Crawford something new? Maybe, but I can’t blame myself for feeling mostly sceptical. Benavidez is totally unproven on the world scene right now, so I’ve good reason to go with the Omaha favorite.
Crawford not only cleaned up the Junior Welter pond, but has been more recently developing a reputation as a KO artist, surgically breaking down and savaging opponents. Crawford has looked next to faultless in his past ten fights, ending eight by knockout. So yeah, I like the look of ‘Bud’.
Don’t ask me how the fight unfolds, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Crawford goes looking for the liver shot (as he did versus Indongo), early and often. Benavidez is big, as is his mid-section which will be a bullseye for the smaller man in the ring. Lightening fast, precise counters from ‘Bud’. That’s what I see happening.
As for Benavidez, he’ll have to bring his absolute A-game to this championship, staying focused for every moment, making good use of his longer frame and levers, and staying clear of Crawford’s counters. Whether he’s planning to fight or box, it’s now time to prove what he can do in a high risk-huge reward fight.
Prediction: Crawford by KO 5
How do you see Benavidez holding up against one of the planet’s most versatile, highly skilled boxers? Is this a mere tune-up while bigger fights brew for Crawford, or is there more than meets the eye versus this tall, rangy, so far unheralded challenger? Let it be known below.
