Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter

[Master]

Josh Taylor thinks potential Terence Crawford fight is "one of the biggest in boxing"

Taylor and Crawford have both unified titles at junior welterweight but Crawford has since moved up to 147lbs to become a three-weight world champion

Josh Taylor thinks a future clash with welterweight champion Terence Crawford is one of the biggest fights to make in boxing.

Taylor is currently the unified 140lb champion and is undefeated in 18 professional fights.

The Scotsman was scheduled to make the first defense of his unified belts against Jack Catterall next month, but a knee injury forced him out of the fight.

Their fight has been rescheduled for next February as Taylor will fight in his home country for the first time since 2019.

And with little left to prove at light welterweight, Taylor is hoping to move up to 147lbs in the near future.

He is targeting an eventual fight with Crawford, who unified all the light welterweight titles four years ago.

"It's a big fight, it's one of the biggest fights in boxing," Taylor told Behind the Gloves.

"He was the last person to become undisputed champion at my weight class. We fought the same opponent in Viktor Postel, so we've kind of achieved the same things.

"He's moved up and got another world title at welterweight, so I just think that's a massive fight."

Crawford defends his WBO title this weekend against perennial contender Shawn Porter in Las Vegas.

And Taylor happened to bump into 'Bud' as he prepares for his upcoming fight.

"It was pretty cool to bump into him. We just sort of said hello to each other, I wished him all the best for this weekend. He said 'well done against Ramirez' and things like that," he said.

"It's an exciting prospect, that could be a fight not too far in the distant future."

Taylor has admitted that whilst he could still make the 140lb weight limit comfortably, he has nothing left to prove at the weight class.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman revealed Jose Zepeda would be Taylor's WBC mandatory if the Scot gets past Catterall.

But Taylor is unsure if he will stick around at 140lb as he hopes to move and chase titles at welterweight.

"We'll see how it goes, I believe I beat every single one of them. I think when I move up to welterweight I'll soon be even better," he continued.

"I'll be coming up and chasing titles. I'll be chasing the likes of your Terence Crawford's, your (Shawn) Porter's and your (Errol) Spence's.

"I'm an upcoming threat towards all these guys if I move up to welterweight after this next fight, given everything goes well against Jack Catterall.

"It's a massive possibility that it could be in the next couple of fights, so it's exciting times.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxin...eight-25475329

[TitoFan]

I'm gonna miss this huge fight (sigh), as I'll be traveling. Hopefully I'll tune back in to find that Crawford has laid Porter out flat on one of those bull rushes, and has won by highlight reel KTFO.

[Master]

‘I’m trying to knock his head off’ – Terence Crawford admits Shawn Porter friendship went ‘when we signed the contract’

TERENCE CRAWFORD said his friendship with Shawn Porter went on hold the moment they signed to fight - and he's now 'trying to knock his head off’.

The 34-year-old welterweight pair meet in Las Vegas over the weekend, with Crawford defending his WBO title and unbeaten record.

It is no secret the pair enjoyed mutual respect for each other and are even friends, who go back a long way.

But that has all been put to one side, as Crawford told Sky Sports: "It was gone when we signed the contract.

"I don't have to disrespect him or talk bad about him. But we both know.

"There are no friends in the ring. The guy across from you is trying to knock your head off. I'm trying to knock his head off."


In the build-up, former two-time champion Porter claimed previous chances to make the fight had been rebuffed.

But Crawford responded: "No, that's not true. The truth of the matter is that when they asked me for the fight it was just talk, there was no offer.

"Then when Top Rank offered them the fight, they turned it down because they wanted more money.

"Then me and Shawn talked on the phone and he asked me what I thought about a potential fight with him.

"I told him that if I couldn't get the Manny Pacquiao fight then we would revisit it. I didn't get the Pacquiao fight - we're here."

Crawford, who has won titles in three divisions, has beaten the likes of Amir Khan, 34, and Kell Brook, 35, in recent years.

But he admitted only time will tell if Porter, who has never been stopped with only three career defeats, will be his fiercest rival.

Crawford said: "We'll have to see if this is the toughest fight of my career.

There are no friends in the ring. The guy across from you is trying to knock your head off. I'm trying to knock his head off.

Terence Crawford On Shawn Porter

"I've been faced with a lot of people who thought the past couple of fights would be the toughest. But we don't know until we step in the ring.

"I don't tend to listen but I do take heed because it means I won't overlook anything.

"I believe, deep down in my heart, that there are a lot of things I haven't shown yet because I didn't have to show it at that point.

"There are skills I haven't had to display. Maybe Porter can bring those out. There is more to come. I am getting better.

"I expect Shawn to be Shawn - I can't stress enough how talented he is. He likes to box, he likes to bang, he likes to brawl.

"We will be ready for everything."

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/16785...r-title-fight/

[imp]

Aren’t they both 34 years old?

This fight is waaaaasy overdue.

Crawford must beat Porter, then Spence, Ugas, Taylor and Ennis before he claims any pound for pound status!

Wasted talent.

[SlimTrae]

Aren’t they both 34 years old?

Wasted talent.

Hard to not say a waste, but deserves to acknowledge-this is what happens with Arum, DAZN,PBC, Haymon...A fight doesn't get made? almost always involves the above.

[Kirkland Laing]

Evening chaps. Looking forward to this one. I think Crawford puts on a show here.

[Spicoli]

Happy fight night! Trying to make it a positive always love to see Crawford do work. A genuine chip on that shoulder. Little bit of young Hopkins punishing guys when the bloods in the water. This should be good and no slouch in Porter. That said..Boots Ennis and Ortiz are coming for y'all .

[Kirkland Laing]

Crawford has by far the least irritating rap music for the ring walk/ring walk. Another reason I want him to win.

Augmented reality for me tonight. I may not make it to the final bell.

[Spicoli]

How is Crawford not 154 already guy is massive all over. Scratch n sniff good 1st for Porter but walking onto him a bit.