Why Terence Crawford Beats Errol Spence Jr

Even though this fight is still years in the making, discussions have been popping up about the potential matchup. I'm here to speak for the Terence Crawford side of the field, and why he can beat the so-called "Boogie Man" of the 147-pound division.

One of the biggest advantages Spence has that's making them pick him for the winner is size. Crawford is coming up from Jr welterweight while Spence is the natural welterweight with what looks like a Jr middleweight frame. Boxing's history is full of the bigger man beating the great smaller fighter. However, it also has moments where the smaller fighter outshined their bigger opponent. Leonard Duran 1, Shane Mosley De La Hoya 1, Roy Jones Jr vs John Ruiz. Obviously, Spence is no ordinary bigger man he's got skill with his size. Probably the best skill set in 147. There is a way Crawford can overcome his size with his skill set and all. I'll explain in the next paragraph.

Let's talk about fighter mentality. Errol Spence has a phrase that he lives by whenever he steps between those ropes. "Hand down, man down." Let's analyze it real quick; you're fighting him and your hands are down. Or if your defense shows a little crack, he's gonna go for the kill. Pressure is a part of Spence's style. I think Crawford can use this to his advantage. Spence pressures fighters to force a crack in the defense. While Crawford carefully picks and prods at the fighter like a locksmith slowly breaking them down. He's figuring out their rhythm and movement. Till later on down the road, the fight is easier for him in the later rounds. I usually prefer the careful late starter over the fighter who is intense from the opening bell. I know some people are gonna bash me for this, but look at the Viktor Postol fight. At 5'11 reach 73 1/2 inches, Postol was taller with a longer reach than Errol's (72 in). I believe Crawford got the 12 round UD from boxing carefully. Proving he was smarter than the then marketed "trickier" fighter.

From Errol Spence's Twitter post with the man down hashtag; Errol always goes for the KO.

My predicted outcome if Spence tires to force Crawford into an early fire fight? Well, I don't see Crawford engaging early with Spence. I don't see a thing like pride or panic getting to him. I also don't see Spence trying to think he can take Crawford out early in a fight. At the end of the day when it happens, the game plans for these two will probably be totally different than their typical styles when they meet up.

Let's go back to the second paragraph about size advantage. I personally think there isn't too much of an advantage for Spence in that area. A reason you can look to is their reach. Spence is listed at 72 inches. While Crawford is listed at 74. Add Crawford's two-inch reach advantage to his ability to switch hit from the left and right-handed stance it can result in problems for Errol finding that opening he needs. Spence's height is also listed at 5'9 1/2, while Crawford is 5'8. As you can see their reach and height isn't too far apart from each other. Some of you readers might be talking about the body frame. Which goes back to me talking about how Errol looks like a natural 154 pounder. That leads to my next reason.

The fight will happen at a perfect time. Now, this is boxing. Predictions have always been made. I can be wrong I can be right, I'll explain. We already know this fight is years in the making. Sometime down the road with Spence's frame, it might make us see him grow out of the 147-pound division needing to head towards 154 and Crawford fully growing into 147. With belts collected and money on the line, Spence would take the fight. Signs will show that maybe its time to move up? Which will result in forcing a potential rematch at 154 later. 50/50 that this element falls into play when the fight happens.

Spence vs. Brook

My final prediction. I see this fight going a full 12. Maybe with somewhat of a controversial decision. Both fighters have decent power with Spence having a little bit more of an advantage in that department. I think both fighters have a decent chin and enough skill to avoid a KO. It won't be a one-sided fight for Crawford though. Spence will have him on the ropes early, but down the line, Crawford will adjust he'll take enough rounds at the end and eventually earn the win maybe even become undisputed for a second weight class in a row.

Spence not fighting guys from the Al Haymon/Showtime roster is partially because guys are scared of him, but I also believe it's the product being protected. Not the product of Spence, but the product of Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter, Adrien Broner, Andre Berto, etc. The goal was to build the roster of PBC/Showtime fighters. Make fans believe this roster is the cream of the crop by holding out on the most major matches that could be made possible. Look at how long the promo picture Danny Garcia took with Adrien Broner was. Now the hype for that match is dead because of Broner’s defeat to a 40-year-old Pacquiao. Now, it'll be easy to feed an old Pacquiao to a younger champ like Thurman to build up Thurman vs. Spence hype. Meanwhile, Crawford was collecting every significant belt in 140, something Danny Garcia didn't do. Crawford has a few gold medals under his resume, a 147 title, and former title of undisputed, something that hasn't been done in his former division since 2003 by Kostya Tszyu. Even though he's on the other side of the map in boxing. The whole roster of Showtime/PBCknowsw he's on their heels; that includes Spence.

The Fight That Never Happened

I hate to sound like I'm saying fighters took easier career paths compared to others. Sometimes that's just what it is though. Spence not fighting the likes of Garcia, Thurman, Broner might hurt him coming into this fight. All those guys held titles once in that division which is Spences first. Crawford is on his three with collected titles in all three. However, people still say Crawford hasn't fought any legit names to really be "feared" like that. When you really look at it, the same could be said of Spence because of the earlier reason mentioned in this paragraph. So with no heavy named scalps on their resumes (I personally believe they both have great opponents.) Thurman, Porter, Garcia or Pacquiao. Why are fans salivating over this fight? What do they see? Here's what I think fans are recognizing. Both fighters have superb skills that they've shown against their opponent's. The athleticism between both is probably the best in the division. Also as mentioned earlier, Crawford's ability to switch hit. Spence's pressure fighting, but with intelligence. Now they're in the same division! When all of that is brought to the table, it makes fans wonder. Who's going to win?

They might be on different sides when the topic is mentioned, but deep down inside, they know this so the best matchup that can be made in 147. With that being said as a boxing fan even with my prediction. I just hope when the fight comes around for Crawford and Spence, I hope we get a great fight!