Was having this debate earlier with a friend. Crawford is basically a bigger, stronger, version of Pernell. Pernell had the better defense and movement but Crawford had more tool on the toolbox. I have Crawford stopping or UD Pernell at 140.
I’m glad to see that Omaha, where I assume you’re from, has good internet service for you to access this forum. That said, Crawford is at least one level, maybe more, beneath Whitaker. You do realize that Whitaker is an Olympic gold medalist, right? He is also one of the top 4 LWs of all time, taking his rightful place among Joe Gans, Benny Leonard, and Roberto Duran. You do realize that a good number of knowledgeable boxing fans/historians lean toward Pernell in a H2H with Duran, right? FWIW, I like Crawford and consider myself a fan. However, to think that he could dominate and possibly stop Pernell at 140 is blasphemy at its highest. You do remember that a prime Felix Trinidad could not stop a past his prime, above his best weight, recreational drug (cocaine) using, version of Sweet Pea, right? Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Sweet Pea fought Trinidad from the 2nd round on with a broken jaw. Even then, he landed some hellacious body blows on Tito throughout. Pernell beats Crawford EASILY on his best day and NEVER loses to Crawford by knockout, even on his worst day. Crawford would stand a better chance with Stevie Johnston and/or Shane Mosley.
I firmly believe you are on your own with this. Whittaker could've beat any fighter ever at his comfortable weight he was that good. Crawford, even if he improves more than what we have seen so far will be at least a level below Pernell. Way off with a stoppage win for Crawford too, million miles off
Crawford imo will have all he can handle off Horn too, not technically, but he getting took out of his comfort zone with Horns style guaranteed
Terence Crawford is talented enough to give Pernell some difficulty early, but one of the problems with this matchup is we don’t know how “Bud” will react to real adversity, and he’s faced NOBODY comparable to “Sweet Pea”. Pernell Whitaker will lose maybe the first round then figures out Crawford for a comfortable U Decision.
They're not similar at all in style. Whitaker wins by decision. Crawford is very good, perhaps great depending on what we see in the future, but Whitaker at 135-140 is one of the best fighters ever.