WBO welterweight world champion Terence "Bud" Crawford is taking no chances when he returns to New York's Madison Square Garden Saturday evening in the main event position.

Crawford (35-0, 26 KOs) will make the third defense of his welterweight crown against mandatory challenger Egidijus "Mean Machine" Kavaliauskas (21-0-1, 17 KOs).

Crawford is a tremendous favorite to win the fight, and many expect a knockout ending.

Some believe the two-time Olympian is undeserving of the fight, after going to a draw with Ray Robinson in March.

But he's still the mandatory challenger under the WBO, and Crawford is still obligated to fight him or face the possibility of getting stripped.

Kavaliauskas is confident, despite the recent setback, and believes he has enough skill to shock the world at MSG - the same venue where Andy Ruiz shocked the world in June when he stopped massive favorite Anthony Joshua for the heavyweight crown.

"This is a great opportunity for me against the world's best fighter. When I win, I will be considered one of the world's best fighters. Terence Crawford is a great fighter, which is why I wanted this fight. I am ranked number one for a reason. I am here for a reason, and I can't wait for Saturday night," Kavaliauskas said.

"The way to win a title is to fight the best, and Terence is the best welterweight in the world. I want that title, and I will be the first Lithuanian-born boxer ever to win a world title."

Also on the card, Richard Commey (29-2, 26 KOs) will defend his IBF lightweight world title against unbeaten sensation Teofimo Lopez (14-0, 11 KOs) and Michael Conlan (12-0, 7 KOs) hopes to gain revenge on former 2016 Russian Olympic nemesis Vladimir Nikitin (3-0, 0 KOs).