BoxingFight Previews

Terence Crawford vs. Luis Collazo for March in MSG?

As first reported by Keith Idec of BoxingScene.com, Terence “Bud” Crawford might just have a new opponent and it is a southpaw represented by Al Haymon, but not, Errol Spence Jr., but rather Luis Collazo.

 

Crawford, who is in talks to make his second world title defense of his WBO welterweight title against Collazo, what does this mean?

Well, for starters it means that Al Haymon and Top Rank can do business together, the next question becomes can two a-side fighters, fight without money and network interference ruining it.

If the bout were to happen it would likely take place on March 23rd at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on ESPN, as a world title bout.

Collazo, a New York native, would be a local draw to help fill-up the building for the a-side Crawford, who while popular also is from Nebraska, and it might not hurt getting a few extra people in from Collazo being on the card.

If Collazo is the next opponent for Crawford, that would be somewhat out of left field as Egidijus “The Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas, the unbeaten Lithuanian fighter managed by Egis Klimas seemed to be all, but guaranteed the next crack at Crawford. Kavaliauskas won his last bout against Roberto Arriaza by way of third-round knockout, but hasn’t captured the imagination of many fight fans as he did as a prospect coming up on the developmental circuit. Whether Kavaliauskas is just more comfortable with life in America or never developed beyond his entertaining days in the regional Top Rank house shows, are unclear, but it appears he may have to wait a while to get a title shot.

The news is somewhat shocking to insiders as Kavaliauskas and Crawford are both promoted by Top Rank Inc, a company that prefers to do shows (in the past) all in-house, meaning with their own fighters. To go outside of their roster creates interesting possibilities.

Crawford vs. Collazo seems to be an appetizer for the fight all fight fans really want, Terence Crawford versus Errol Spence Jr. The two best modern welterweights, according to the eye test, which is a bout due to promotional and managerial situations, one might have thought not possible until the money forced it to happen.

Collazo is a former WBA welterweight world champion who held this title before Crawford even turned pro, but has lost most if not all of his biggest fights to date, except for a stunning knockout victory over Victor Ortiz years ago. Collazo is also known for hurting Keith Thurman to the body in their bout as well.

Collazo resurrected his career by beating Bryant Perrella, a Premier Boxing Champions prospect, by way of a 10-round majority decision in Uniondale, New York. Prior to that, he beat Sammy Vasquez by way of sixth-round knockout, meaning despite Collazo’s heightened age, he is still picking off the younger generation.

Crawford is coming off a 12-round highlight reel knockout of Jose Benavidez Jr. taking place Crawford’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska.

 

 

Previous post

Yordenis Ugas hires Memo Herredia for Shawn Porter fight

Next post

Bivol-Pascal weigh-in results, LaRon Mitchell of SF on undercard

Lukie Ketelle

Lukie Ketelle