Terence Crawford and Amir Khan went face-to-face on Friday for the final time before their welterweight collision on ESPN Pay-Per-View.
The pair of talented stars battle it out for a potential unification and a certain place in the pound for pound top ten.
Crawford head into the contest as the rightful favorite on form having unified the super-lightweight division by claiming all four titles.
The American moved up in weight and hasn’t looked back since.
For Khan, himself a unified champion at 140 pounds, the Briton has the opportunity to erase bad memories of his last big PPV offering.
Losing badly to Canelo in 2016 when ahead on the scorecards, Khan took time away from the sport before returning to winning ways under Eddie Hearn.
With his career already at the early 30’s stage, Crawford could represent a final chance to be recognized as one of the world’s best.
It seems Khan has been around forever, but there’s no denying the man’s talent.
PREDICTION
By rights, Crawford should have the edge pre-fight, but you cannot discount Khan if his speed remains at the optimum level.
‘Bud’ Crawford has amazing belief to go with his undoubted skills and should be able to see out a points win.
Those stating the fight will be one-sided may well be proven wrong though. Khan will make a fist of it and potentially could earn a draw or get the decision with at least one of the judges.
Expect an MD or SD in favor of Crawford, with calls for a rematch loud and clear in the aftermath.
WEIGHTS – ESPN PPV (9 p.m. EST)
• Terence Crawford 146.4 lbs vs. Amir Khan 146.6 lbs
(Crawford’s WBO Welterweight world title – 12 Rounds)
• Teofimo Lopez 135 lbs vs. Edis Tatli 134.8 lbs
(Lopez’s NABF Lightweight title – 12 Rounds)
• Shakur Stevenson 125.8 lbs vs. Christopher Diaz 125.6 lbs
(Stevenson’s IBF Intercontinental and vacant NABO Featherweight titles – 10 Rounds)
• Felix Verdejo 135 lbs vs. Bryan Vasquez 135.4 lbs
(Lightweight – 10 Rounds)
ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes (6 p.m. EST)
• Carlos Adames 154 lbs vs. Frank Galarza 153.4 lbs
(Adames’ NABF and vacant NABO 154-pound titles – 10 Rounds)
• Edgar Berlanga 163.8 lbs vs. Samir Barbosa 160 lbs
(Middleweight – 8 Rounds)
• Larry Fryers 140 lbs vs. Dakota Polley 139.6 lbs
(Super Lightweight – 6/4 Rounds)
• Vikas Krishan 154.2 lbs vs. Noah Kidd 153.2 lbs
(Super Welterweight – 6 Rounds)
• Lawrence Newton 118.2 lbs vs. Jonathan Garza 119 lbs
(Bantamweight – 6 Rounds)
TV / TICKETS
CRAWFORD vs. KHAN is a 12-round fight for the WBO welterweight championship of the world, presented by Top Rank in association with Matchroom Boxing and Khan Promotions. The event is sponsored by Geico. CRAWFORD vs. KHAN will take place Saturday, April 20, beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST at Madison Square Garden, and will be produced by Top Rank and ESPN and distributed live by ESPN Pay-Per-View.
Tickets for this world championship event priced at $606, $406, $306, $206, $106, $81, and $56 (including facility fees) can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.
FULL PPV / UNDERCARD
Terence Crawford (champion) vs. Amir Khan (challenger), 12 rounds, Crawford’s WBO welterweight world title
Teofimo Lopez vs. Edis Tatli, 12 rounds, Lopez’s NABF lightweight title
Shakur Stevenson vs. Christopher Diaz, 10 rounds, Stevenson’s IBF Intercontinental, and vacant NABO featherweight titles
Felix Verdejo vs. Bryan Vasquez, 10 rounds, lightweight
ESPN2, 6 p.m. EST/3 p.m. PST
Carlos Adames vs. Frank Galarza,10 rounds, Adames’ NABF, and vacant NABO 154-pound titles
Edgar Berlanga vs. Samir Barbosa, 8 rounds, middleweight
Larry Fryers vs. Dakota Polley, 6/4 rounds, super lightweight
Vikas Krishan vs. Noah Kidd, 6 rounds, super welterweight
Lawrence Newton vs. Jonathan Garza, 6 rounds, bantamweight
RING WALKS
With three solid bouts backing up the main event, expect ring walks for Crawford v Khan at around 11 to 11:30 pm EST. (4 to 4:30 am UK).
