Photo by Ed Mulholland
On Tuesday, January 12, 2016, Terence Crawford and Hank Lundy hosted a press conference to announce their February 27 matchup at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
The fight headlines an HBO World Championship Boxing doubleheader which also features one of Puerto Rico’s fastest rising stars, Felix Verdejo who takes on undefeated challenger William Silva.
The bad blood between Crawford and Lundy was evident at Tuesday’s presser and even continued on social media afterwards.
Why he didn’t call me a bitch to my face. But wait tell he get on the Internet to act hard. So who really the bitch. #FACTS
— Terence Crawford (@budcrawford402) January 12, 2016
While it’s not surprising to see Lundy get riled up and try to get under his opponent’s skin, that sort of back-and-forth verbal jabbing has not really been part of Crawford’s persona.
We do know that Crawford has personality and can talk a good game when he needs to do–just check the post-fight interview after he stopped Dierry Jean in his last fight–but Lundy seems to have struck a nerve.
@budcrawford402 I said it at the press conference in your face you didn’t do shit then lol now you super man
— Hammerin Hank Lundy (@hammerinhank30) January 12, 2016
Lundy has gotten tons of chances against champions and solid contenders throughout his career, including John Molina Jr., Ray Beltran, Viktor Postol and most recently, Mauricio Herrera.
Although he lost every one of those fights, it hasn’t stopped Lundy from calling out more guys than an umpire. Simply put, Lundy relishes the big stage and he wants to face the best. Aside from Gabriel Rosado, it’s hard to think of many fighters who have lost so many step-up fights, but keep getting big opportunities.
That speaks to Lundy’s talent and ability to hype up a fight, something he’s already kicked into high gear for his crack at Crawford on February 27.
“I am going to break you down, Crawford,” said Lundy. “This is East Coast fighting, you homie. I will be the big ticket seller in this fight not Crawford. We will have fans coming to see me, not Crawford.”
Crawford didn’t stay quiet and warned Lundy that he better not be all talk.
“Lundy runs his mouth too much. He’s about to get hurt real bad,” said Crawford. “I don’t know what’s wrong with this dude. He better be for real about it.”
