By Chris Williams: Terence Crawford insists that he’s not looking past David Avanesyan this Saturday night in their headliner at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Crawford vs. Avanesyan will be shown on BLK Prime PPV in the event that begins at 9:00 p.m. ET.
(Photo credit: Marvin Kelly / Marvelous Photography)
It obviously wouldn’t be a good idea for WBO welterweight champion Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) because there’s no guarantee that what comes ahead will be any better than this.
For the 35-year-old Crawford, who may have burned his bridges for a mega-fight against Errol Spence Jr by walking out of negotiations with the unbeaten IBF/WBA/WBC welterweight champion recently to fight Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) instead.
If Crawford believes that bigger & better things lay ahead of him after this fight, he could be deluded because his future might involve similar fights instead of an upward tick in the level of his opposition.
“Avanesyan has everything to gain and nothing to lose. I know he will bring everything on December 10th, so I’m not looking past him,” said Crawford.
Avanesyan indeed has everything to gain in this fight because this is his first and likely will be his last opportunity to fight for a world title.
If Avanesyan weren’t picked out as Crawford’s opponent, he wouldn’t be getting this shot. He’s not young enough at 34 to work his way to a mandatory spot with the WBO, and his opposition has been too poor for him to get pushed up to the #1 spot.
“This will be the best Avanesyan, so I have to be the best Terence Crawford. I am motivated to put on a show for my fans in Omaha. He’s on a good winning streak,” said Crawford.
It’s fair to say that if Crawford isn’t firing on all eight cylinders on Saturday night, he’s going to taste the canvas at some point and find himself in a real dogfight because Avanesyan can punch, and he’s going to be trying to take Terence’s head off.
Crawford has good skills, but his ability to take punishment isn’t extraordinary. He’s been hurt before by weaker punchers than Avanesyan.
“My goal is to remind the world that I am the best fighter on the planet. I am fighting not just to be the best but to give fighters fair and equitable treatment in negotiations moving forward,” said Crawford.