The WBO has ordered a fight between their 147 pound champion, Terence Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs), and former two-time Welterweight champion Shawn Porter (31-3-1, 17 KOs).
Boxing fans are elated, as it seems like Crawford will finally get in the ring with a worth adversary at Welterweight.
Crawford, who sits anywhere from one to three on most credible pound-for-pound lists, recently told ESPN’s Mike Coppinger that he’s been begging to face a top challenger.
In Porter, who is the No. 3 ranked Welterweight according to the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, he will get just that.
“I’ve been begging for a real challenge for years,” said Crawford. “All the so-called elite Welterweights have shown no interest in fighting me. Now one of them is finally being forced to.”
Not totally true, but we’ll leave that for another day. The good thing is that there is finally movement for a Crawford vs. Insert Any Top Welterweight’s Name.
And make no mistake about it, Porter is not just any guy. He’s a top Welterweight who has given fits and beaten some of the best at 147 pounds in the last few years. Crawford, who will turn 34 in September, will certainly need to be on his A-game to defeat the always tough and durable Porter.
“I’ll show once again why I’m the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” said Crawford. “Be ready.”
If Crawford turns in a dominant performance against an opponent like Porter, it’ll go a long way in validating his claim as boxing’s best fighter.
