Crawford-Khan PPV, itinakda sa Abril 20
INIHAYAG ng Top Rank Inc. ang unang pay-per-view event sa tulong ng ESPN kung saan ipagtatanggol ni WBO welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford ng United States ang titulo sa dating sparring partner ni eight-division titlist Manny Pacquiao na si Briton Amir “King” Khan sa Abril 20 sa United Kingdom.
“It’s always been my goal to fight the best fighters out there, and I look at Amir Khan as one of the top fighters in my division,” sambit ni Crawford sa Fightnews.com. “I know some people are writing him off, but I am by no means overlooking him. He’s a former unified world champion, and come April 20, I’ll be looking to go out there to seek and destroy. I’m excited about this fight because I believe it can push my career to another level.”
Para kay Khan, ito ang matagal na niyang hinihinging pagkakataon na labanan ang isang nasa top five ng pound-for-pound list ng prestihiyosong The Ring Magazine makaraang mabigo na makaharap si Pacquiao sa Dubai City noong 2016.
“I’m delighted to announce a much-anticipated world title fight with Terence Crawford, the current WBO welterweight world champion. The decision as to fighting Kell Brook or Crawford has been one of the most difficult decisions of my career to date,” ani Khan.“Clearly, the UK fans want to see Khan vs. Brook, but I could not turn down the opportunity to fight for the WBO title. That is not to say that the Brook fight won’t happen, as I want that fight to happen as soon as possible.”
“Fighting a world champion won’t be easy, but this is exactly the challenge I need at this stage of my career,” dagdag ni Khan. “I am fully motivated and ready for the best training camp of my life. Crawford is beatable, and I want that WBO title. It’s going to be one hell of a fight.”
Para naman kay Arum, magandang sasupaan ang bakbakang Crawford vs Khan na kapwa kabilang sa mahuhusay na boksingero sa welterweight division.
“The Crawford-Khan showdown is a very interesting matchup of two elite fighters. Khan, when fighting at welterweight, is as good as there is, but he is fighting the division’s best fighter and a pound-for-pound great,” diin ni Arum.”It will be an entertaining and competitive fight. We are also excited to join forces with ESPN on our first pay-per-view venture under the Top Rank on ESPN agreement.”
Para naman sa promoter ni Khan na si Briton Eddie Hearn, malaking pagkakataon ito sa kanyang boksingero na patunayang may ibubuga pa siya sa welterweight division.
May rekord si Crawford na perpektong34panalo,25sapamamagitan ng knockouts samantalang si Khan ay may kartadang 33 panalo, 4 talo na may 20 pagwawagi sa knockouts.