Key #1 for Ray Beltran Get in Close to Crawford–Too Close (Cue Creepy, Maniacal Laugh)
By Lou Catalano
Earlier this year, Terence Crawford scored a fantastic knockout against Yuriorkis Gamboa, but it wasn’t without some rocky moments. He was down on the cards early, and he was hurt late in the fight before he drilled him.
Ray Beltran should make this thing an inside, dirty, Ricky Hatton-style fight. Crawford is the more talented of the two, and he has brilliant skills. If Beltran can crowd him and get him out of his comfort zone, it will give him a legitimate shot at springing the upset.
Though Beltran is rated No. 2 in the division by the Transnational Boxing Rankings, (the only legitimate ranking system in boxing at the moment) Crawford is being touted as the next big thing, with Beltran billed as the “opponent.”
Crawford handled the pressure well against the far smaller Gamboa, but let’s see if the former Manny Pacquiao sparring partner can make him wilt. It starts with Beltran crowding the Omaha native all night long.
Key #1 for Terence Crawford Switch it Up
By Lauren Pinkerton
One of the most frustrating obstacles an orthodox fighter faces in the ring is a southpaw that knows how to use his stance against his opponent.
I’d argue then, that the next most frustrating obstacle is fighting a switch-hitter who works just as effectively from one stance to another.
There are many things that Terence Crawford has going for him in this fight, but his ability to work orthodox and southpaw is something that sets him apart from a lot of other fighters.
HBO interviewed Terence and a few others back in June, and probed Crawford about his switch-hitting status. Crawford took the opportunity to feebly respond that he was just more than a one-dimensional fighter. Way to flaunt it, Bud.
Regardless of his ownership to the rare style or not, Crawford’s job on Saturday is to overwhelm Ray Beltran with his fast combos, frustrate him with his mechanical headwork, and (the cherry on top) confuse the Mexican by stepping into southpaw every now and then.
Throwing quick jabs from both sides should complicate the mechanics of the sweet science enough to throw Beltran out of his comfort zone.
