Terence Crawford vs. Ray Beltran
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
Terence Crawford possesses all the talent and skill to dominate this matchup, easily. What more do I need to say? Consider this fight to be an experience builder for Crawford, as he defends the WBO strap that Ray Beltran was robbed of in a disgraceful decision against Ricky Burns, whom Crawford bested for the title.
Either his handlers or the gods of the fistic arts hate Beltran. Despite him being an adequately skilled journeyman, his career has been a string of fights where the matchups are unfavorable to him, or he finds himself on the losing end of bad (I’d even say criminal) decisions.
Saturday will be no different unfortunately for Beltran, who is always a setback away from that big break. Just hope for Crawford’s sake that despite his tendency to start slowly, he has proven he can make fights exciting for his home crowd and will finish with an exclamation point against a crafty Beltran, who is nothing like Crawford’s last opponent. Crawford will take this one by eighth-round TKO.
Prediction: Crawford
Lauren Pinkerston, Staff Writer
These two are going to fight how lightweights fight–which is a lot of fun. But, on the topic of who uses the lightweight skills more effectively, Terence Crawford takes the cake.
The guy is just so dang fast. His head movement, footwork and punch combos outwork Ray Beltran’s. Raymundo will try and alter his fight tactics by working in some power punches, but this isn’t going to work.
Crawford’s head is just too quick to be surprised with a heavy hit. I foresee a fun fight with a lot of quick movements, that’s going to end in a UD given to Crawford.
Prediction: Crawford
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
I like Terence Crawford. I expect Ray Beltran to pressure him from the outset and counter whenever he can. He wants the fight on the inside and would prefer to bang.
I see Crawford keeping Beltran at bay with an educated jab and good footwork. He must circle and use both his hand and foot speed staying out of the pocket and not allowing himself to stand on the inside.
Prediction: Crawford
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
In contrast to the main undercard fight, I believe this one is relatively easy to pick. Terence Crawford is too young, fast and talented to be beaten by Ray Beltran.
Beltran is a hard-nosed opponent and certainly deserves this shot, but I think this matchup is no good for him and if Crawford is looking to put an exclamation point on Saturday night’s show, he might even stop the tough Mexican.
Prediction: Crawford
