Crawford Talks Bradley-Marquez, Broner-Malignaggi

By Ryan Burton

Budding lightweight prospect Terence Crawford (20-0) stopped by BoxingScene Radio to discuss a number of topics including his June 15th HBO televised fight against  Alejandro Sanabria.

Crawford burst onto the scene with his dominating unaimous decision victory over Breidis Prescott this past March. Crawford took a risk by moving up to the junior welterweight division for the opportunity to fight on HBO. That risk paid off for the Nebraska native as he thoroughly outboxed his bigger and stronger opponent.

In many of his fights Crawford has stayed in the pocket landing big shots that have knocked his opponents out.  I asked Crawford if we can expect to see that the style again since he will be fighting in his natural weight class.

"It depends on what my opponent brings to the table. Do I need to box or open up and throw big shots? I don't just stand there and trade. I like to hit and not get hit. I look at what my opponent is doing in the ring," Crawford explained.

The 25-year-old said that he didn't feel much of a difference fighting at 140 pounds versus fighting at 135. WBC lightweight champion Adrien Broner will take it a step further by moving all the weigh up to 147 pounds to challenge Paulie Malignaggi for his WBA welterweight title. Crawford thinks that Broner will perform well at the higher weight. 

"The extra five pounds, I didn't really feel the difference because I was already sparring middleweights," Crawford said.  "Broner is going up to 147 and he is strong, his opponent Paulie isn't known as being a big puncher so that is the perfect fight at that weight."

I also asked Crawford for his opinion on the October clash between Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley. Crawford has sparred with Bradley and the WBO welterweight champion has touted Crawford as a future champion. 

"That is a great fight. I think who ever can stay on their game plan will be the winner. Tim is a great boxer and so is Marquez. Marquez is a great counter puncher too. Bradley is going to have to be on point to come out with the win," Crawford told BoxingScene Radio.

You can listen to the interview in its entirety by clicking here: http://tobtr.com/s/4803485

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com . Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to BoxingScene Radio, BoxingScene's official audio on Tuesdays from 6-8PM PST. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton