Pundits, bookies and US television all fancy the American but... KHAN VOWS TO EXPLOIT THE CRAWFORD CRACKS
MAKING a case for Amir Khan to a United States jury is not easy.
Every one of the American broadcasters and writers convened here predicts overwhelming victory for world welterweight champion Terence Crawford, by anything from a quick KO to a points decision as wide as Broadway.
For this they find themselves chastised by legendary promoter Bob Arum, who says: ‘Anyone who thinks this is a walkover for Crawford is a moron who knows nothing about boxing.’
Time, before the first bell rings in the hallowed Madison Square Garden tonight, to bring a little British perspective to the deliberations.
In his own defence, Khan says: ‘Crawford has been put on a pedestal as one of the top poundfor-pound fighters in the world
without having to prove it. Yes, he is unbeaten, but while I have fought the best out there he has no one on his resume to compare with some of my opponents.
‘Yes, he is a very good fighter but I’ve seen flaws in him which I can exploit. I don’t know about everyone else but I know I can beat Bud Crawford.’
The bookies disagree. Some to the extraordinary extent of quoting Khan as a 30-1 outsider, while Arum for one will not be backing his boxer to the tune of 40 bucks to win one dollar. He says: ‘Crawford is rightly a marginal favourite as the undefeated champion but these odds are ridiculous.’
Khan weighs in: ‘This is a 50-50 fight, although I think perhaps it should lean towards me. I’m the naturally bigger fighter this time, unlike when I went up two divisions and got knocked out by Canelo Alvarez.
‘Crawford’s team have only given me this chance because they think I’m over the hill at 32. But he’s no spring chicken either. Only a year younger. And he’s never fought anyone as fast and skilful as me.’
Crawford says: ‘I respect what Khan did when he became a twotime light-welter champion but that was a while ago. I also recognise he’s unbeaten at welterweight. But I’m still waiting to be given my full respect for being the best boxer in the world. So I’m the hungry fighter here.’
‘Me too,’ says Khan. ‘This is for my legacy. He’s a three-division world champion but I’m hungry to be a three-time champion. Maybe I’ve not looked so good lately but I’m always at my best for the big fights. And they come no bigger than this.
‘ I’m topping the bill in the Mecca of world boxing against someone considered to be a great champion. I’m up in lights in Times Square and I’ve rung the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. I’m starring in the show which is bringing bigtime boxing back to its traditional home here in America.
‘This is history in the making and my family are here to see me make it. I like them to wave me off to the arena. I’m chilled now and I’ll be excited as I go to the ring.’ Not too excited, please.
Khan’s trainer Virgil Hunter never stops reminding him to remain focused every second. To keep boxing every minute. To control his fighting man’s instinct by refusing to be drawn in to the slugging exchanges of punches which exposed that questionable jaw to concussive blows three times in the past.
Freddie Roach, a previous mentor, endorses that message: ‘Amir is in a tough fight against a great fighter. But he’s a worldclass boxer too. Fast and clever.
‘At times he’s let himself get carried away. He was actually beating Canelo, so he thought he could go for the knockout, left himself open and got caught. He forgot nobody knocks out Canelo, not even Gennady Golovkin.
‘If he can fight this fight round by round. If he can stop chasing the knockout and only take it if it comes. If he can concentrate every moment. Then with his ability he can win this fight.’ If he does, Khan will add to his legacy one of the most astonishing upsets of recent ring times. Certainly in American eyes. ‘ That’s another reason I’ve taken this fight,’ he says. ‘I feel more love these days but there are still some doubters and haters. I’ve come here to show my skills, my fighting heart, the best of Amir Khan to the world.
‘I’m happy with my career. I’ve won world titles and boxed on the biggest stages in the game I love. I’ve achieved more than I ever dreamed of when I was a kid winning a silver medal at the Olympics. But if I pull this one off it takes me to yet another level.
‘It will ask a question of those who say I’ve got no chance: do I deserve to take Crawford’s place among the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world?’
First, Khan must answer whether he can endorse that claim and complement his sumptuous talent with the effort of concentration being asked of him.
‘I’ve grown up at last,’ he says. ‘I’ve focused on sparring against fighters who brought most of what Crawford brings. I must have sparred 200 rounds in camp.
‘Now I promise you — and Virgil — that my mind will be fully on the job this Saturday night.’
If he can rein back that warrior reaction to go head-hunting if he takes a boot- shaking shot, this really could become what Arum predicts: ‘A great fight between a great American world champion who reminds me of Sugar Ray Leonard and a great British boxer who I have always admired.’
While promoters can be forgiven a little ticket- selling hyperbole, nobody questions that Khan is always in thrilling fights.
But, after these seven unforgiving years since he last held a world title, can he really make history against such a champion of all the talents?
It is hard to deny that Omaha’s WBO champion is the favourite to retain his crown, yet history also tells us that you write off Bolton’s finest at your peril. ‘Bud’ Crawford should win, perhaps by a mid-fight stoppage.
But if Khan keeps his head he can win, arguably by decision, and it is worth staying up late to see him try.
l Khan challenges WBO welterweight champion Crawford live on BT Sport Box Office tonight. Information at www.bt.com/btsportboxoffice