Don't see what's not to like. I thought Sanabria actually seemed pretty skilled in there last nite. I think he'd give some of the upper echelon guys at LW some trouble. AS for Crawford, the guy is strong, fast, skilled and seems to like the fighting aspect of a fight, so to speak. Get him another test and lets see.
I was actually disappointed in how amateurish Sanabria looked with the way he was winging punches. so off balanced, and easy to hit. His power isn't what his record would make it look to be, either. I was expecting a more refinement than what I saw there even taking into account his Mexican brawler background. As for Crawford, I thought he fought very well and showed a good beard when he did get hit. Nice, solid, well rounded fighter. If he hasn't had a title fight by 2014, something's wrong. It looks like he's going down the IBF path, and I think Crawford-Shafikov would be a great fight.
Maybe it is in relation to my expectations, but I though Sanabria seemed like he had some snap on his punches, seemed to be holding his own for awhile. DOn't get me wrong, he wasn't on par with Crawford in the least skillwise. BUt i could see him troubling some guys.
I've caught his fights on Youtube- Lauri, McAllister, the Zamora rematch, Mensah, and Rahimov. While none of those guys are world champion caliber, they're solid competition for an up and comer, and Shafikov's been improving every time out as the level of opponent rises. Here's my quick summary on him: Shafikov knows how to fight taller fighters and has some Tim Bradley to his game. Compact build, brawler, but a brawler with some IQ- he applies educated pressure and does a good job of not compromising his defense. He can fight inside, and has good head movement. Has noticeably gotten stronger over the past couple of years. Also, like Bradley, his power is just OK. He's not a knockout artist, but it's enough that opponents have to respect it and enough to damage guys. Right now, he's one of the better kept secrets in boxing, but someone to keep an eye on in the wide-open lightweight field.
Maybe I'm being too hard on Sanabria and his conditioning let him down (Roy mentioned it as well, and I did miss the first 2 rounds), but if that's the case, it's probably a worse scenario for him. I hate to sound like I'm dogging the guy, but that style demands great conditioning. His was mediocre, and Crawford's body work turned made it look horrible. That's taking away nothing from Crawford, who impressed me last night. I think he let himself get hit a little more than he could've because he really wasn't that worried about Sanabria's power, either. He's just a solid, solid prospect who looks ready for a step up into title elimination-level fights now.
Im curious about this case, he is definitely a possible TV staple and an exciting force, he is a defensive wizard which makes him safe from punches, and is a sharp puncher and a fairly hard puncher but as Max pointed out he doesnt shy away from getting hit, and last night he did. some of this of course stemmed from having to bring the fight and not being i guess in fear of the guys power could this be a problem it screams entertaining while defensive minded but also screams can be hit can be caught who knows, this guy he fought last night though no slouch was a step back in comp now 135 is a little bit of a mystery, HBO seems to think that Broner leaving means its an open door for a guy who really hasnt stepped up yet and beaten a guy that is all that, Prescotts good but he isnt the fight that I think answers it all Vazquez is a very good polished boxer with a difficult and frustrating style that could probably present issues stylistically and mentally for Crawford who it seems things have come easy for Burns is a long time vet of the sport and no stranger to big fights or big punchers and he is no walk in the park either Abril aint pretty but he is savvy a defensive minded and precise fighter who can clinch and hold and be scrappy not an easy night 135 is not a star studded must see cant miss weight but its got a bunch of dark horse fighters that could present dangers to lots of HBO plumped up prospects even a guy like Demarco still looms in the landscape and he could be a problem in fact lets make that Crawfords next fight, perfect set up for a title show down
He is very comfortable boxing southpaw as well and switches often. That's what I like about Crawford. Very solid