Regis Prograis tells Terence Crawford: ‘Leave Jermell Charlo alone’

By Boxing News - 04/17/2020 - Comments

By Chris Williams: Regis Prograis says Terence Crawford needs to leave WBC junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo (33-1, 17 KOs) alone. The two had a mini-trash talk situation this week after Jermell told Crawford that he can’t beat IBF/WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.

If Crawford wants to test himself, he can go up to 154 and challenger Jermell for his WBC title. According to Prograis, that wouldn’t be a good idea for Crawford to mess with a talented fighter like Jermell.

With Top Rank being cautious with the guys they’ve matched Crawford against since they started promoting him seven years ago, it’s highly unlikely they would let him anywhere near Jermell.

If they put Crawford in with Jermell, he could spoil the seven years of careful match-making that they’ve put in to turn him into the WBO 147-lb champion.

Crawford didn’t take the advice well, as he warned Charlo to mention his name in the future. Charlo wasn’t to back down, so he told Crawford that there’s only one way he can make him stop saying his name. At that point, Crawford didn’t fire back with anything.

The former WBA light-welterweight champion Prograis (24-1, 20 KOs) thinks Crawford needs to back off and leave Charlo alone. That would be a dangerous fight fr Crawford, who hasn’t fought a good opponent since his victory over Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2014. The guys that Crawford has been fighting since then have been mid-range contenders.

Image: Regis Prograis tells Terence Crawford: 'Leave Jermell Charlo alone'

Prograis WARNS Crawford about Jermell Charlo

“I saw a little beef, and I saw the twin [Jermell Charlo] say, ‘I think you’re a good fighter, but Errol will beat you,'” said Prograis to Fighthype in talking about the beef between Terence Crawford and Jermell. “No, leave that boy alone,” said Prograis in warning Crawford to stay away from Jermell.

“You’re talking about the Charlo twin? No, Crawford, leave Jermell Charlo alone. That’s all I got to say. I’m saying that period. You leave Jermell alone basically. I say, leave him alone. Leave that alone.

That’s what I say. That’s my personal opinion, and people can disagree with me. Crawford, leave Jermell alone. Don’t get in the ring. I mean, you can beef with him on Twitter all you want. That’s cool. But as far as fighting, hell no,” said Prograis.

It’s a good idea that Crawford heed Prograis’ advice to stay away from Jermell because nothing good can come of him battling him. Crawford’s last fight against Egidijus Kavaliauskas showed that he’s not at the level to be fighting someone like Charlo or his brother Jermall Charlo.

Kavaliauskas knocked Crawford down in round five and had him hurt several times in the bout. Crawford hadn’t fought a puncher for five years previous to this match, and he didn’t look prepared.

Crawford has wanted to get a big fight all these years, and nows his chance of doing that if he faces Charlo.

Prograis, 31, was supposed to be fighting former WBO light welterweight champion Maurice Hooker (27-1-3, 18 KOs) on April 17 in Maryland. The fight is postponed.

Crawford and Jermell trash talking

“I PERSONALLY BELIEVE YOU CAN NOT F*** WITH EJ,” said Charlo to Crawford on Twitter.

“Keep my name out your mouth,” said Crawford to Jermell.

“Stop telling me to keep your name out my mouth, there’s only one way to do that.. ight.. like I said you a cool “boxer,” imma pretend you didn’t mention me, but hey man, say man I got time. But believe me, when them LIONS at your neck, please don’t retreat,” said Charlo to Crawford.

Charlo didn’t really say another to get Crawford worked up. The only thing Charlo said is he thinks that Spence will beat him. Other than that, Charlo was complimentary of Crawford.

If Crawford wants to make sure that Jermell doesn’t mention his name, he can always let his promoters at Top Rank know that he wants to fight him. I don’t think it’ll happen though. Top Rank picks the opponents for their fighters, and they’re not going to put Crawford in a situation here he’s got a good chance of losing.

Prograis doubts Haney and Teofimo will fight

“That would be a good fight, but I don’t think it’ll happen,” said Prograis when asked about his thoughts on a hypothetical match-up between Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney. “It’s talk right now.

He’s [Haney] definitely going after everybody right now. Let them keep talking. I think it’s entertaining. With the Crawford and Jermell, that’s farfetched.

“That’s probably won’t happen and shouldn’t happen, but with those two [Haney and Teofimo], that’s a fight that can potentially happen down the line. They’re at the top right now in the same division, so that can be a potential fight. Let them, that’s cool with them,” said Prograis.

Teofimo Lopez vs. Devin Haney is another fight that has little chance of taking place. Lopez is with Top Rank, and Haney is with Matchroom. It’s not going to happen.

 

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