Terence Crawford faces Amir Khan on Saturday night (Photo: Mikey Williams – Top Rank)
By Chris Robinson
We are inching closer to boxing’s next significant showdown, as WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford will face off with former world champion Amir Khan on Saturday night from Madison Square Garden in New York. While Crawford (34-0, 25 KO’s) is understandably a huge favorite heading into the fight, Khan (33-4, 20 KO’s) does have enough experience, speed, and skills to at least make the ESPN pay per view matchup interesting.
During Wednesday’s final press conference, Crawford revealed that this is far from just an ordinary showcase for him.
“I don’t believe no fight that I fight is just another fight for me,” said Crawford. “I believe that all fights that I fight from here on out are for my legacy. That’s why I want the biggest fights out there. Amir Khan’s name came up because he was the next best welterweight in the division. I could’ve easily took [Luis] Collazo. He could’ve took another fight with Kell Brook. Amir Khan is a great fighter. I can’t take nothing away from [him]. He’s done a lot in the sport of boxing. He has a big name. He’s undefeated at the welterweight division. So why not take another step up?”
Khan has definitely left his mark in the sport, but he insists his ride is far from over. This Saturday marks another huge chance for him.
“This is a dream come true, and hopefully on Saturday, a dream will come true, where I get my opportunity to fight for another world title and be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world,” said Khan. “This just drives me, makes me work harder, train harder, stay focused. I know I have someone in front of me who is up there as number one. You can’t deny that. He’s a good fighter. I know he’s training hard because he doesn’t want to lose that unbeaten record, and I don’t want to lose this fight because I want to achieve everything I want in the sport of boxing.”
Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com