Crawford, close though. Crawford hasn't faced anybody as slick as himself, let alone as slick as Locche. He'd have massive issues landing - as literally everyone did, and would - and would really have to kick things into a higher gear to start finding his mark. I thought about taking Locche, but I'm thinking his offense is too limited to beat Crawford, and the styles don't favour him. Even though I think he's a better fighter, I'm struggling to take him here. Despite - and likely, in part due to - possessing an unbelievably advanced and layered defence (IMO, the best ever), Locche's offense was pretty limited. He tended to, especially in the three full fights I've seen, rely on his left hand. Working the jab, doubling up, drop parry then stepping in with that hook to the body. Very fluid with it, but not very dynamic and not particularly advanced. Sure, vs Laguna and Hernandez, he used his backhand a bit more than he did vs Fuji, but he didn't use it much. He just stood his ground more when he needed to. I can't actually name a southpaw off the top of my head who Locche beat, but I assume Locche's no different to most when it comes to struggling to land a jab against a southpaw. Especially one whose hand fighting is excellent. Crawford snatched Postol's jab away from him like he was an absolute novice, and he did it by fluidly drop parrying then counter-jabbing. Crawford being heavier, longer, quicker and having so many different styles of fighting means he'd be able to assume a style which nullifies Locche's strengths. I think after taking away the jab, Crawford would counter jab and use his length to outpoint Locche in awkward outing where neither really land much. But Crawford wouldn't even be close to Locche's most daunting opponent. Laguna, Cervantes, Ortiz, etc; Crawford isn't even half as proven as Perkins. Locche's résumé is absolutely absurd.
I mean Crawford is a big guy. But Looche is really in a different league they cannot compare until Crawford steps up truly.
Extremely close fight. Locche's most effective weapons are the jab and the left hook to the body. Crawford an extremely slow starter. His versatility and IQ makes this fight interesting. It's possible for Nicolino to lull Bud to sleep.
Locche is a pro and Crawford a relative amateur. You only need to watch film to see one guy is a lot better then the other without even knowing boxing.
Both are great fighters. As always, it's tough compare era's so far apart especially when one was the same day weigh in era. That makes a huge difference that most non fighter's don't really understand. Crawford is a significantly bigger man that would have likely fought at Middleweight in Looche's era. No way does he make 140 back then. If the fight is today, I have Crawford all day.
Crawford processes opponents very well and then seamlessly destroys them. Frankly, I don't think he has many problems with Locche, figures his repetitive retreat paths, meets him there, and breaks him down with superior power and speed, closing the ring on him the entire time. Stoppage about round 9. Locche really never faced an athlete like Crawford he had the top level Ring IQ.
