Terance Crawford has become a bit of a polarizing figure among fans. Its amusing to read on the internet that he is the GOAT or he is a coward that scamed everyone. The truth is definitely in the middle this time. Crawford was a great fighter P4P and very effective at 147lbs. Vernon Forest was also a Welterweight champion who didnt keep his title that long. The Viper could be thrown off his game or sometimes fight lackluster. When Forest was on though he poses some problems at 147lbs for alot of fighters. Especially if the style works in his favor. How does this one play out? Forest's height, reach along with good power versus Crawford's Southpaw, counterpunching, physical strength, versatility?
I hold Vernon Forrest in a very high regard but I'm taking Crawford. Crawford is absolutely the goods.
I see this fight as a bit of a toss up. Crawford is more skilled a versatile, but Forest can cause a surprising amount of issues for fighters by throwing a simple 1,2. I think this fight is more competitive than people think. The key may be that Forest has the height advantage (by 4 inches) , but Crawford has the reach advantage (1 inch). Forest is going to be punching down, while Crawford punches up. Id expect Forest to do well early, but Bud is surely going to adjust, and could absolutely walk Forest into something significant later. Gun to my head, I've got to say Crawford, but I do not think Forest is completely outclassed here like a lot of Crawford opponents tend to be.
You think Crawford would pick his spots the way Sugar Ray did with Hearns? Make him work and capitalize if Forest makes a mistake or gets predictable.
Yes, but with more success along the way, I don’t see him having to come from behind, or at least not as dramatically as Leonard had to. I believe Crawford would apply pressure, force the errors out of Forrest, and as he breaks him down, Forrest will make more errors which makes it then easier for Crawford to capitalise, but I don’t think he’d try to box with Forrest. Crawford might also switch back and forth between stance in this one, especially as he backs him up, maybe to get close with something before he pounces, maybe even throwing some wild punches, because we have seen Crawford do that, and we know it worked for Mayorga against Forrest. But as Crawford breaks him down, I believe he tightens up his technique and at that point, allows the opportunities to present themselves.
