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Word is this will happen and instead of Matthysse/Provodnikov being for the WBO belt Crawford/Algieri will be for the belt.
I like Crawford but I don like this. I think Crawford is really good but he hasn't exactly proven it at 135 let alone 140. I don't want to see him a 2 division champ having proven little in both. It's the Broner blueprint
I think the difference is that Crawford is the real deal! It's a good introduction to the division and possibly even for the title , win win.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Swanson
I think Crawford could become one of the stars of the sport when Floyd and Manny are gone, and I don't think Algieri will cause him too many problems.
However, further down the line Matthysse or Provodnikov could seriously test what he's about.
if he fights the better Junior Welters then there is no concern. I just worry he is being groomed. He's 27, these are physical prime years, the years to really prove yourself.
Off the top its just a procedural kind of match. Honestly Algieri has milked his '15 minutes' to death and needs to get off the big boy stage but a trinket warmer is a trinket warmer. But Crawford needs to be mean in this one. I can't knock him on leaving 135 as he is a huuge lightweight and I can't see anyone there who beats him tomorrow. In under 2 years he has come from relative obscurity taking fill in slots on three days notice to one of the top fighters and boxers on the scene. Dude is a breath of fresh air and this will position him 140 ready for bigger and better.
Not a bad fight, but hardly exciting. Crawford is obviously the better boxer, and Algeri doesn't have the physicality to "welcome him to the division", so to speak. Even guys like Dulorme, Lundy, or Emmanuel Taylor would have probably been better opponents here imo, but I'll hold out for Crawford fighting the Matthyse/Provo winner, or Danny Garcia down the line.
crawford fought who he could at 135. i have no problem with his opposition there. it isnt a deep weight class but he beat who he needed to. at 140, there is some good opposition. again, its not super deep since most of them seem to be moving up to welter, but there are still good fights to be made.
algieri seems like a nice guy but he got fortunate against provo (i actually had provo winning the fight and thought he probably deserved the decision although it was close) and now he is getting another big fight. i guess its a name for crawford to beat but i would rather have him fight somebody better. i mean, didnt algieri have problems making 140? but i guess as i said before, 140 isnt that deep so there arent too many options.
I guess the reason I bring it up is because of the leapfrogging of Matthysse/Provodnikov. Those 2 have earned a title shot at 140. I know the WBO has a rule specifically for guys moving up to get title shots but I just worry. Lately in boxing the safest place is holding a belt. Then people can use the "what does he offer me" nonsense. I have Algieri as the 6th or 7th best(maybe even 5th) Junior Welterweight in the world so it's not a bad fight. I just worry this fight will be followed by a showcase fight then who knows. I want to see Crawford test himself
Safe way to test the waters of a higher weight against a non puncher and fast track to a title at the same time. Problem with Algieri is while he's good boxer, you only need to lay glove on him to get him on the run and keep him on the run to outwork him down the stretch. Provo's face first aggression gave Algieri too much to hit and the judges too much to think about. If crawford cant carry any power up though.... things could get interesting.
Well, looking at it on the bright side, Crawford-Algieri and Provo-Matthysse are both great fights in their own right without putting the titles in the picture.
Everyone fighting at 135 is jumping for joy, wishing Crawford good luck, and possibly😘. Lol