By Scott Gilfoid: Max Kellerman of HBO has always had an eye for spotting talent in the boxing world. In fact, he’s got a bird’s eye for spotting top talent in the sport, and I can’t think of any occasion where he’s been wrong in naming big talent that will change the boxing world. Last Saturday night, Kellerman said that he sees unbeaten 135 lb. contender Terrence Crawford (21-0, 16 KO’s) as the best fighter in the division bar none.
Kellerman said to HBO “Terrence Crawford is thought by many, including me, as probably the best lightweight in the world.”
There it is. Kellerman has named Crawford as the best fighter in the lightweight division. That’s good enough for me.
I have to say I totally agree with Kellerman here. If Adrien Broner was still thought to be coming back down to 135, then I’d hold off as pronouncing Crawford as the best fighter in the lightweight division, but it seems pretty obvious that Broner won’t be coming back down to 135 to fight again at this weight after he gets a taste of the big money this Saturday night against WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi. Broner will stay at 147 and continue to make big bank against top guys.
That leaves Crawford as the new ruler of the lightweight division by forfeit.
Crawford looked like a star last Saturday night in belting out Alejandro Sanabria in 6 rounds at the American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. What made Crawford so good is his counter punching, airtight defense and his incredibly fast hands. Sanabria was rarely able to land anything of substance on him all night long despite Crawford thinking only about offense and not defense. Granted, Crawford isn’t the most powerful puncher in the world, but his hand speed makes him a lot harder puncher than he looks. He certainly hits hard enough to knockout any of the world champions and contenders in the lightweight division.
My one hope is that Crawford’s promoter Bob Arum doesn’t stunt his career by keeping him at 135 for too long fighting fodder opposition. There’s no point in Crawford staying at this weight because there are much bigger fights at 140 and 147. Arum needs to be courageous with Crawford and move him out of the lightweight division because he’ll waste years of his career chasing the likes of Ricky Burns and Richard Abril trying to get a fight but likely being ignored.
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