Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank
While much of the attention in the combat sports world appears to be fixed on the upcoming August 26 mega fight between Floyd Mayweather and UFC champion Conor McGregor, a pivotal boxing match will take place this weekend (Saturday, August 19, 2017) live on free television.
Rising star Terence Crawford (31-0, 22 KOs) is set to take on Julius Indongo (22-0, 11 KOs) on ESPN in a bout for true Light Welterweight supremacy. Crawford, 29, will put his WBC, WBO, The Ring, and lineal Light Welterweight titles on the line, while Indongo, 34, will put his WBA and IBF straps on the line.
With every major title in boxing being put on the line, this bout will determine the first undisputed Light Welterweight champion since 2004, making it quite the high stakes fight.
In recent years, Crawford has established himself as an elite talent in the sport of boxing. “Bud” is a well-rounded fighter, possessing fast hand speed and fight-ending power. In addition to this, his ability to adapt to various situations and effectively switch from southpaw to orthodox and back have made him a difficult puzzle to solve.
The 29 year old is coming off of back-to-back stoppage victories over the likes of John Molina Jr. and Felix Diaz, and he’s finished five of his last six bouts inside the distance.
While Crawford is certainly the favorite heading into this bout, Indongo shouldn’t be overlooked. “The Blue Machine” uses an awkward style, and while half of his victories have come by way of knockout, he has also shown the ability to box.
He’s no stranger to entering enemy territory and performing well either, which may aid him given the fact that this fight will take place in Crawford’s home state of Nebraska.
Indongo is coming off of an impressive decision victory over Ricky Burns this past April, but prior to that, he had scored three-straight stoppage victories.
In recent fights, Crawford has started a bit slow, feeling out his opponents before eventually pulling away as the fight drags on. He’ll have to be cautious early on with Indongo, but I simply feel as if he’s the more superior fighter.
I expect Bud to come out on top, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish the fight early.
