Terence Crawford vs. Jose Benavidez Jr.: Fight Odds, Time, Live Stream, TV Info
Terence Crawford (33-0, 24 KOs) is fresh to the welterweight division but he has his sights set on accomplishing the exact same thing that he did in junior welterweight: unifying the world names.
The guy they call"Bud" currently has among his own, a WBO world title he earned by choosing apart Jeff Horn in June in his first bout at 147 lbs. He'll defend it on Saturday night against Jose Benavidez Jr. (27-0, 18 KOs), an undefeated 26-year-old just two years removed from a shooting that nearly ended his career.
As hard as Benavidez could be, he's not what Crawford wants. Crawford is 31 years old and only now entering boxing's most talented division. He's one of the sports best talents but is far from a household name. He is searching
for glory. That may even mean passing up Manny Pacquiao, the WBA"regular" winner.
"He is not a champion in my eyes," Crawford stated, per BoxingScene.com's Keith Idec. "He don't possess the superb belt. That is the champion in my eyes. I look at the number one winner in the branch. I don't look at the WBC silver and the interim belts and all that. I look at the super [winner ] and the actual champion of this division."
That would indicate the likes of Keith Thurman, the WBA"super" champion who has been inactive due to injury. Or even better, Errol Spence Jr. (IBF), together with whom Crawford has been trading insults with for weeks. Maybe even Shawn Porter (WBC) could be in the mix.
Crawford needs one of those fights to happen--thesooner the better for his career and legacy. But first up is still another evaluation struggle, which Crawford always seems to ace.
Crawford vs. Benavidez Jr.. Fight Information
When: Saturday, Oct. 13 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: CHI Health Center at Omaha, Nebraska
TV: ESPN and ESPN Deportes
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Opportunities: Crawford -3500 (wager $3,500 to win $100), Benavidez Jr. +1200 (bet $100 to win $1,200)
Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com and updated at Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7 a.m. ET.
As hungry as Benavidez could be, he's going to be hard pushed to beat Crawford, who's an overwhelming favorite going into Saturday's bout. Crawford can switch stances. He strikes with precision power and speed. Most opponents find him difficult to strike, even as Crawford openly taunts them from the ring.
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