Bear baiting fights are a hard sell

Forget the bookmakers, Joshua vs. Miller and Wilder vs. Breazeale are not even close to being the mismatch that Lomachenko vs. Crolla is, and honestly (as much as I like to joke about Khan being chinny garbage) neither is Crawford vs. Khan in reality.

Not only can anything happen at heavyweight (and both Miller & Breazeale are big, strong, world-ranked heavyweights) but stylistically they both have attributes that could trouble each respective champ. I still favor Wilder and Joshua to retain, but those aren't whitewashes; neither underdog is as hopeless as the Mancunian being sacrificed at Hi-Tek's altar.

 

Both champs have question marks surrounding their punch resistance. As long as the guy in the other corner has a pulse and isn't Zuri Lawrence, there's drama..

 

This basically.

Both the Wilder and AJ fights are decent matchups, certainly in the context of Fury or Loma's opponents or in the division as a whole for that matter.

I think Khan is done, but he has stepped up over the years so I think he's earned a place at the high table. There's a chance that the first 2 or 3 rounds could be competitive. So whilst I'm not paying to watch it I'm not up in arms over it taking place either.

 

In terms of parity, I'd say:

Wilder vs. Breazeale >>> Joshua vs. Miller >>>>> Crawford vs. Khan >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lomachenko vs. Crolla

 

I think Crolla should be 20/1
Khan should be 25/1
Wilder 7/1
Fury 16/1

 

And you broke the > key when you tried to include Fury vs Schwarz?

 

Yes, that one is off the charts. Schwarz makes Crolla seem like a sure thing, although I'll be over the moon if Schwarz does the unthinkable, just for the sheer chaos factor.

 

I can see Khan getting KO'd in 1-3 rounds in a total mismatch. I can't see Crolla getting KO'd early, he has a solid chin and is tough, and won't quit.

I think Crawford-Khan is the bigger mismatch and we'll see if I'm right

 

Eh, guess it depends on your interpretation, although I do not disagree with you about the outcomes. I think Khan will pull a Canelo, basically, and maybe win a few early rounds before getting KTFO...whereas Crolla will either lose a lopsided decision by shutout unanimously or get stopped on towel late. The latter to me bespeaks a greater mismatch, because I don't see a way Crolla wins a round against Lomachenko. Khan, if he can avoid getting clipped hard on the chin, at least has a potential -if fraught - path to victory.

 

Fair point. On the other hand I can see Khan winning rounds until the inevitable moment it all comes crashing down. Whereas I don't see Crolla getting close to taking a single round from Loma.