Via Chris Williams: Former ESPN commentator and coach Teddy Atlas believes Terence Crawford is too mediocre. “garbage dog” and too good for Errol Spence Jr to beat him on July 29. Atlas thinks Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) can hurt Spence late and possibly stop him.
Like many others, Atlas was impressed with how easily Crawford changed positions in his battles and prevailed from both sides.
What Atlas doesn’t say is that Crawford’s pose transitions are unnecessary, done to impress fans, but he’s not nearly as effective when fighting outside of the mainstream as he is. move south.
It’s good that Atlas sees Crawford as a “junk dog,” but who exactly did he fight?
Let’s face it; The top rating nurtured Crawford’s weak opposition throughout his career until he left them last year. In Crawford’s only match since leaving Top Rank, he played against David Avanesyan. That’s not a great warrior.
The problem with Crawford, besides he’s never been good at fighting anyone, is that he doesn’t throw a lot of punches and can be beaten by Spence.
Crawford won’t knock Spence down, averaging 15 to 20 punches per round, especially if Errol throws 80 to 100.
“That’s what Crawford does [switch hit with power]and he’s a junkyard dog when it comes to being mean and vicious when you have to be vicious in a bad sport he has that mentality,” Teddy Atlas told fight TV center about Terence Crawford.
In theory, the junkyard dog talk from Atlas sounds good, but we’ve never seen Crawford compete against a boxer like Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) or even Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
Between the two, Spence has shown himself to be more of a wild dog than Crawford, as he has been involved in fights he has to shoot to win.
We’ve seen Crawford beat mid laners like David Avanesyan and shoot Shawn Porter, Kell Brook, and Amir Khan, but he hasn’t fought anyone like Spence in his 15-year professional career.
“He had the mentality that he was going to do what he had to do, no matter what,” Atlas continued of Crawford. “I’m not saying Spence doesn’t have some of these qualities, but to the extent that I’ve come to realize it with Crawford, it’s a very special level.
“Yes, that guy [Spence] bigger and can sometimes be restless and have a higher IQ than what people attribute to him. I’m taking Crawford. It will probably come to a decision.
“The argument for Spence is that he goes to the very good body and goes to the smaller man’s body, and you get to him. Crawford will have something to say while you’re trying to reach him. With an upper shot, counterattack from the left or right. He carries power.
“Though they’re both millionaires now, and that’s important to them both on a personal level. I’ll go with Crawford. I like a decision, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Crawford injured him late in the game,” Atlas said.
