On Saturday night, August 19, 2017, boxing fans are in for a rare treat with the world Junior Welterweight unification championship between undefeated champions, Terence “Bud” Crawford (31-0, 22 KOs) and Julius “Blue Machine” Indongo (22-0, 12 KOs).
The fight, which airs on ESPN and and takes place at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, will start at 10:00 pm, EST.
Crawford will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO), World Boxing Council (WBC) and The Ring magazine world titles, while Indongo will put the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) world titles on the line.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Crawford vs. Indongo and let us know who you think will win.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Terence Crawford vs. Julius Indongo
Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer
After all this time, it is refreshing to see an undisputed champion being crowned. Though the fact that both fighters have to pay more than $100,000 in sanctioning fees reaffirms why these types of fights are an anomaly in modern boxing.
As for the winner, I am picking Terence Crawford to become the undisputed Junior Welterweight champion. However, it must be said that Julius Indongo as an opponent is very respectable, and deserves to be in this position. One facet of Indongo is his height, though he doesn’t prioritise fighting like a taller fighter.
Instead of boxing his opponent from afar for most of the fight, he is perceivably wild with his punches, swinging intensely and throwing spiteful left hands. This makes Indongo dangerous if he does land a shot, as evidenced by his knockout of Eduard Troyanovsky, which won him the IBF Junior Welterweight title.
This is an important point to consider, as his tendency to load up and thus negate his height advantage will most likely make him an open target for Crawford’s counters. Crawford can get tagged himself, but for the most part he is defensively sound and elusive to aggressors. I believe within a few rounds he will be able to predict Indongo’s attacks, and then comfortably box his way to a decision.
I would not rule out a late stoppage, as Indongo’s chin is still unproven, despite fighting a hard hitter like Troyanovsky (85 percent KO ratio)–who never had a chance to land clean on Indongo before being dropped and defeated.
If Crawford wins via late stoppage, I believe it will be caused by Indongo rushing in and being countered. Crawford is by no means a one-punch knockout artist, but he has credible power, which will gradually break down his opponent and make them yield, just like Crawford’s previous stoppage victories.
Prediction: Crawford
Andrew Kang, Staff Writer
So exciting to see another title unification, especially when it pits two worthy and talented champions in Terence Crawford and Julius Indongo.
I like Crawford’s aggression, versatility and accurate punching as I do against almost anyone else he faces. He is top-tier talent and on a roll.
Prediction: Crawford
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
Saturday night’s Junior Welterweight unification clash should be interesting and the entire gang will be there to see it. The alphabet gang, that is as the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO straps are all on the line.
While this sort of event is sadly in short supply, it’s hard not to wonder how much the combatants will have to shell out to each of these governing bodies in sanctioning fees.
Regardless, at the end of the event we will in fact have a unified Junior Welterweight champion.
Terence “Bud” Crawford (31-0, 22 KOs) has had a meteoric rise with plenty of fanfare on his assent to world championship glory.
Julius “Blue Machine” Indongo (22-0, 11 KOs) is the polar opposite not only from a publicity perspective as it relates to his rise to the championship, but is also a southpaw to Bud’s orthodox stance.
With the exception of his last two fights, including a career best victory over Ricky Burns, Indongo appeared exclusively in his backyard of Windhoek, Namibia against less than scintillating opposition.
Crawford has proven thus far to be more versatile stylistically and done so at a higher level. This could potentially be a matter of opportunity and the Blue Machine may seize his moment and turn the boxing world on its head.
It won’t happen this night, however. Crawford will give a very game Indongo different looks and change the tempo of his attack throughput the fight. Bud will also counter smartly and force a stoppage in Round 8.
Prediction: Crawford
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Crawford
Vince Minnick, Staff Writer
On August 19, Terence Crawford will unify the major titles in the 140 pound division when he dismantles the relatively unknown Julius Indongo. Although Indongo remains a mystery to most boxing fans, don’t expect Crawford to be confused at all.
He will prove why he is a Top 3 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. His poise and technique will be too much for Indongo, and if that isn’t enough for a finish, Crawford will defer to his superior ring knowledge to dictate the fights pace.
If Indongo can match all of these, Crawford can still bite down and outwork his opponent. Rewatch the Crawford fight against Yuriorkis Gamboa to see why Crawford is a true boxing virtuoso.
Prediction: Crawford
Joseph Rodriguez, Staff Writer
Julius Indongo’s biggest victory is an impressive-unanimous decision against Ricky Burns in April of this year. Prior to the Burns fight, Indongo was largely unknown among the boxing community. Indongo used his range to outbox and land uncontested punches against Burns all fight.
But coming into the Terence Crawford fight one thing is certain–Crawford is no Ricky Burns!
Since Crawford’s unanimous decision over Burns in March of 2014 he has only improved as a fighter. Crawford possesses greater power, speed and overall boxing skill when compared to Indongo.
If you have seen a few of Indongo’s fights he tends to throw looping hooks which I believe Crawford will spot with no issue. Crawford will counter these type of punches and make it a short night for Indongo. Crawford will stop Indongo via a TKO victory in the seventh round.
Prediction: Crawford
Ty Paul, Staff Writer
Terence “Bud” Crawford will try to unify all four major Junior Welterweight belts on Saturday evening at the Pinnacle Bank Arena on his home turf of Lincoln, Nebraska. A true undisputed champion in this day in age is quite a feat.
The “Blue Machine” Julius Indongo is the king of Namibia these days and is a terrific story. Indongo’s destruction of Eduard Troyanovsky and Ricky Burns in their native homelands will go down in boxing lore. On back-to-back occasions, a little known African beat down those two to capture the IBO, IBF and WBA Junior Welterweight titles. Simply remarkable.
But this is Terence Crawford. I respect the hell out of Indongo, but Crawford is in another stratosphere.
Crawford’s last bout, when he decided he was going to go in the southpaw stance all night against the rugged Felix Diaz last May, was head shaking. Not from disbelief, but from amazement.
Whatever you throw at Bud, he’ll adjust. Once again, this could be a shootout early, and maybe be close through the first quarter of the fight. But, once Terence comes into his own, it’s basically over.
I do see this one going the distance. Indongo’s a southpaw with good range and would be favored or right there with any other 140-pound fighter in the world.
This is Bud Crawford, though. One of the three best American fighters out there today, along with Andre Ward and Errol Spence Jr. Bud by decision.
Prediction: Crawford
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
How can you not love a matchup for all the belts? Not only do you have to give each guy credit for taking the challenge, but the fact that they’re each willing to pay over $100,000 in sanctioning fees to unify the division is serious stuff.
As far as the fight is concerned, I think Terence Crawford will show once again that he is hands down one of the best fighters in the world. He can give you so many looks and is sound defensively. When he has faced adversity, Crawford has used his boxing IQ to switch things up and take control of a fight.
Julius Indongo is tall, awkward and he loves to throw looping power shots, but I think “Bud” will be able to avoid eating those shots cleanly and he will land some calculating counters that will either make Indongo gun shy for the entire fight or stop him.
Either way, Crawford is a star and after Saturday night he’ll be able to make his case as boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
Prediction: Crawford
Prediction Totals: Crawford 8 – Indongo 0
