Saturday, June 9, 2018, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, one of boxing’s pound-for-pound favorite, Terence “Bud” Crawford will look to begin his conquest of the Welterweight division by taking on the WBO champion, Jeff Horn of Australia.
After crowning himself the undisputed Jr Welterweight champion by winning all major titles, Crawford set his eyes on the next division up but the Aussie Horn plans to spoil any shot of adding another title Crawfords collection.
The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds and can be watched via the new ESPN+ app for the $4.99 monthly subscription cost beginning at 9:30 PM EST.
Read on to see who and why Round By Round Boxing‘s staff have chosen to win this main event scrap come Saturday night.
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. Jeff Horn
Ty Paul, Staff Writer
Terence Crawford is on another planet than Jeff Horn. First fight (title fight, for what it’s worth for Crawford) at 147 makes no difference. Crawford will put a hurting on the Australian champ.
Prediction: Crawford
R.L. Woodson, Staff Writer
Look for the Aussie to turn this bout into a brawl. Jeff Horn might not look like the most agile boxer, but he’ll hustle through the first few rounds to prove his legitimacy.
Unfortunately, Terrence “Bud” Crawford is a versatile boxer who boasts a great temperament for a champion, and he’ll remain composed as he’s picking up Horn’s movement to counter the champion’s activity. By the second or third round, Crawford’s precision punching and ring generalship will begin to take over.
Horn will grow frustrated as his pressure gradually loses its effectiveness, and it becomes clear he does have the right tool for this job. The champion is tough and will take Crawford’s best shots for a while, but anywhere from round six through nine, he could visit the canvas.
The main intrigue for this fight’s climax is for fans to see how Crawford’s power translates against a thicker welterweight. In the end, it’s a technical knockout for the Cornhusker.
Prediction: Crawford
Brianna Rodriguez, Videographer/Reporter
Prediction: Crawford
Andrew Kang, Staff Writer
I like Terrence Crawford to win comfortably. Love his versatile, confidence and solid all-around offensive abilities. Crawford is just starting to reach his peak, which is scary.
I do not believe Jeff Horn will enjoy a decisive advantage in size and strength as some are led to think.
Prediction: Crawford
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Crawford
Joshua Diaz, Staff Writer
Terrence Crawford will show why he deserves a spot on the P4P list. In his second fight at Welterweight, expect a few rounds to feel out the new weight before going for the kill. Crawford by KO 9th round.
Prediction: Crawford
Micheal Burnell, Staff Writer
There is a lot of great boxing action on tap this weekend and one of the most interesting fights is the Welterweight scrap between Aussie Jeff Horn and Nebraska native Terrance “Bud” Crawford.
Clearly, Horn has the edge in experience when it comes to facing 147 pounders including a 12 Round decision *victory over Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao in his native Australia, annexing the WBO strap in the process.
Crawford, however, has had one fight in the division after moving up from the land of 140, though he looked spectacular in that stoppage victory. Ultimately, the experience won’t make a difference in this particular instance.
The combination of Crawford’s accurate offensive assault and Horn’s defensive deficiency will leave no questions unanswered by the end of the fight. Crawford will stop a game, but overmatched Horn in Round 9.
Prediction: Crawford
Sara Gruber, Staff Writer
Terrence Crawford is one of the most complete fighters in boxing and very arguably the best fighter P4P.
Jeff Horn may be tough, aggressive and hard-hitting, but it’s hard to believe that anything he brings into the fight on Saturday will give Crawford any real problems.
Crawford should systematically break Horn down and have him out of there by the mid to late rounds.
Prediction: Crawford
Peter Nieves, Senior Writer
We all know that Terrence Crawford is one of, if not the best P4P fighters in the world today. After capturing all the belts at 140, it’s time to see what he can do at 147.
While Jeff Horn is the WBO champion, most would say he truly lost his match against Manny Pacquiao and feel Crawford is just too skilled for the Aussie.
Well, mark me down as one of those people. I believe the skillset Bud Crawford possesses is just too far and ahead of the rugged Horn.
Horn is a tough fighter and can make things ugly in the center of the ring but once Crawford makes his adjustment, that’ll be it.
Prediction: Crawford
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I think it says a lot when people are asked to describe Jeff Horn’s skills and pluses as a fighter and the one answer we always get is, “he’s tough.” My heavy bag is tough do, but it can’t cook me breakfast.
Horn is tough as hell, but he can’t beat an elite-level talent like Terence Crawford who is arguably the best fighter in the game today. We may get a dragged out, Viktor Postol-style beat down, or if Bud is feeling comfortable during his first fight at 147 he may end things early.
Prediction: Crawford
All photos by Julio Sanchez/RBRBoxing
