VEGAS & LA
Previewing two big world title shows in famous American fight cities
THE MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the Staples Center in Los Angeles are two of the most famous boxing venues on the planet, so it is fitting that they will play host to a trio of world title fights this Saturday (June 9).
On a Top Rank show in Sin City, Boxnation (UK) and ESPN+ (US) televise as Terence Crawford aims to become a three-division world titlist against WBO welterweight ruler Jeff Horn. Meanwhile, over in LA on Showtime, TGB Promotions stage two world title bouts, as WBA featherweight king Leo Santa Cruz rematches Abner Mares, and WBC super-welter champ Jermell Charlo takes on Austin Trout (see boxout).
The Horn-crawford matchup was originally scheduled to take place on April 14, but had to be pushed back when the challenger sustained a minor injury to his right hand during sparring. Crawford, 32-0 (23), may have encountered a setback during training, but he is yet to suffer any mishaps in the prize ring, where he has vanquished various top names, including Ricky Burns, Raymundo Beltran, Viktor Postol (all ud 12) and Yuriorkis Gamboa (rsf 9).
After winning the WBO belt at lightweight, the brilliant Nebraskan went on to clean up at superlightweight, claiming undisputed champion status in under two-and-ahalf years. By destroying the dangerous Julius Indongo in three rounds in August, Crawford became only the third man in history to hold all four world titles (WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO) in one weight class at the same time. While Crawford, 30, will be making his welterweight debut, the 18-0-1 (12) Horn has spent his entire career in the division. The 2012 Olympian flew under the radar until he was catapulted into a clash with then wbo boss Manny Pacquiao in July. The former schoolteacher was expected to be easy work for the Filipino legend, but in arguably one of the biggest upsets of all time, Horn scrapped and battled his way to a contentious unanimous points triumph in front of over 51,000 fans in his hometown of Brisbane. Coming off an 11th-round stoppage of the game Gary Corcoran in December,
Horn is still riding the crest of a wave following the Pacquiao victory. Rugged, aggressive and determined, the energetic Aussie likes to get stuck in on the inside, where he can unload right hands and use his strength. His roughhouse tactics do, however, render him susceptible to cuts.
Horn, 30, will attempt to unsettle Crawford with his physicality, but he’ll have to catch him first. The outstanding Omaha switch-hitter possesses quick hands and feet, as well as a first-class boxing IQ. Equally comfortable jabbing from range or storming forward on the attack, he boasts slick skills, plus a strong chin and defence. His powerful punches are thrown with expert accuracy and timing, whether they be hooks or uppercuts, head shots or body blows.
Horn has been floored in the past, yet his toughness is not in question. Nevertheless, Crawford – Boxing News’ pound-for-pound No. 3 – is simply on a different level. The American can chip away at his brave opponent with precise, hurtful strikes, forcing the referee to intervene sometime in the third-quarter of the contest.
Back in August 2015, crowd-pleasing California-based Mexicans Santa Cruz, 34-1-1 (19), and Mares, 31-2-1 (15), engaged in an exciting, action-packed featherweight fight for the vacant WBA crown, during which they combined to throw over 2,000 punches. While the exchanges in close were keenly contested, Rosemead’s Santa Cruz was in command on the outside, where he made use of his height and reach advantages. There was more precision and sting in his shots, and ultimately his greater adaptability earned him a majority points win by two scores of 117-111 and a questionable 114-114.
The old rivals go again this weekend – at the same venue where their first bout was held – and another barnburner is expected. Montebello’s Mares, though, has promised to mix up his approach in the return, having lacked variety in the initial meeting. Instead of relying solely on his dogged persistence and bullish assaults – leaving himself open to counters – the 2004 Olympian will attempt to utilise his improved footwork and fluid, fast combos in the sequel, in addition to stiff jabs and more educated body work.
Since linking up with renowned trainer Robert Garcia after losing to Santa Cruz, Mares has looked impressive in defeating the in-form Jesus Cuellar (sd 12) in December 2016 and the outgunned Andres Gutierrez (td 10) eight months ago. On the same night that Mares, 32, dominated Gutierrez, Santa Cruz, 29, did likewise against the overmatched Chris Avalos, whom he KO’D in eight. In his two outings prior to this, Leo swapped majority verdicts with the classy Carl Frampton, losing in July 2016 and winning six months later.
Both boxers have ruled the world at bantamweight, super-bantamweight and featherweight, but it is Santa Cruz who is regarded as one of the pound-for-pound best, not Mares, who was shockingly starched in under three minutes by the seasoned Jhonny Gonzalez in August 2013.
Advancing behind a tight, high guard, the rangy and solid-chinned champion applies relentless pressure with his incessant work rate, including furious flurries, spearing rights and sharp onetwos. His versatility also allows him to stand off and thrust out shooting jabs, followed up by whipping hooks both upstairs and downstairs. His blistering output could well bring about a late stoppage this time, although another decision victory is more likely.
THE VERDICT Three world title fights in three exciting and bustling divisions.