HOF Trainer Freddie Roach gives his take on Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford
On Saturday, boxing will finally deliver the much-anticipated fight between unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) and WBO champion Terence Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs). As we get closer to the fight that will crown the first undisputed welterweight champion in the four-belt era, fighters, promoters, and trainers from all across the world are weighing in with how the fight will play out and, in some cases, giving a prediction.
International Boxing Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach recently gave his thoughts on the super fight that will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Before the main event, Roach will be in the corner of lightweight contender Giovanni Cabrera (21-0, 7 KOs) as he faces Isaac Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs) in an intriguing matchup as a potential fight with Gervonta "Tank" Davis looms on the horizon.
Like all boxing fans, Roach has been waiting for this one for quite some time.
"I have wanted to see this fight for a long time, and I can tell Spence and Crawford have wanted it too, which is another reason I have wanted to see this fight. They want to know and prove which one is the best. It will be a close fight. While on paper, it has the look of Leonard-Hearns, I think it could end up being better," Roach said via a press release.
While those comments comparing Saturday’s fight with a matchup from the 80s between two of the four kings (Sugar Ray Leonard & Thomas Hearns) may sound farfetched, it really isn’t, as Spence and Crawford are not only two of the best fighters in the division but also in boxing. Roach goes on to break down what each fighter brings to the table.
Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford will stream live on Showtime PPV
"In my mind, Crawford is the best fighter in the game and has been for several years. In this fight, I give the edge to Crawford because he is the more complete fighter," said Roach. "I am so impressed by his strategy and well-balanced style of fighting. I can tell he thinks out the game plan thoroughly well in advance of facing each opponent by the way he warms up in the dressing room. He is not just warming up, he is working on his game plan. Every punch in that dressing room is a piece of his strategy. Inside the ring, he executes his game plan flawlessly. By the end of round two, Crawford has figured out his opponent. I can see it. After that, Crawford is close to invincible. I have never seen any fighter switch from orthodox to southpaw so seamlessly, and that is just one part of his arsenal."
Regarding Spence Jr., Roach had more unique comments as his fighter, Manny Pacquiao, was getting ready to face him before Spence Jr. discovered he had to get a surgical procedure to fix a detached retina on his left eye.
“I am also impressed with Spence. He has a perfect record against a stronger roster of opposition than Crawford. Experience is a great teacher. I studied a lot of tape on him when Manny (Pacquiao) was training to fight him. Spence is strong and aggressive and, in my opinion, a better puncher than Crawford. Manny and I knew he was going to be a tough fight.”
When it’s all said and done, the prediction from a Hall of Famer trainer is what the fight fans are most interested in. So, who does Roach think will come out victorious on Saturday night?
"I believe Crawford is the better boxer, and that's why I give him the edge, but this should be a great fight, one boxing needs and fans deserve."
Next. What happens if an MMA fight is a draw?. dark