It has even more at stake for the historians as the winner (unless the winner loses the contractually obligated rematch) would make a large step forward as an all-time great.
If Errol Spence grabs the win, despite his career being marred by injuries, Spence will leave the division on an eight-fight winning streak that would have seen him defeat Kell Brook (IBF champion), Lamont Peterson (IBF junior welterweight and minor welterweight champion), Mikey Garcia (WBO feather and junior lightweight, WBC lightweight and IBF junior welterweight champion), Shawn Porter (WBC and IBF welterweight champion), Danny Garcia (WBA and WBO junior welter and WBC welterweight champion) and Yordenis Ugas (WBA welterweight champion) along with Crawford.
Only his win over Carlos Ocampo during that run would stand out as an outlier as a softer opponent and in this era, that achievement would be very rare.
If Terence Crawford emerges victorious, Crawford would leave the division as the first ever boxer to fully unify two divisions in the four-belt era and while his list of victims in the welterweight division isn't nearly as glossy as Spence's list, (other than Shawn Porter) a win over Spence would cement Crawford as the best of the time.
It's a fight that is easy to envision ending in about any manner possible.
Spence walking Crawford down and winning a clear decision, Crawford stunning Spence and finishing him as Crawford is the best fighter in the sport at concluding the evening for a hurt opponent are both possible.
It's just as easy to see Spence using his bigger frame to physically pound on Crawford to score a KO or Crawford brilliantly outboxing the slower Spence on his way to a decision.
Crawford is able to move from a lefthanded stance to a righthanded style easier and smoother than any fighter that I've ever seen and I think that is going to be the difference.
Spence has had a detached retina and it's easier to see Crawford hitting Spence with punches that he can't see than vice versa.
I'm a fan of both fighters and I'll be happy for the victor no matter what but I must admit that I like Crawford a little better and I think he has the edge in what should be a fascinating fight.
Something tells me the effort making the weight one more time is going to take its toll on Spence and Crawford takes over in the second half of the fight,
The undercard will see a world title filled as Nonito Donaire will face Alejandro Santiago for the vacant WBC bantamweight title in the latest of the four titles that Naoya Inoue turned in as he moved up in weight.
This fight was originally scheduled for two weeks ago on a Showtime card but was moved to this night when a few injuries would affect the card.
Donaire hasn't fought since being stopped in two rounds by Inoue in their rematch last June and at forty, it's fair to wonder what Donaire has left but he's still the only fighter that truly pushed Inoue and we just don't know for sure until this fight ends.
Santiago has won three straight since losing a majority decision to Gary Antonio Russell in 2021.
The final bantamweight title will be filled in a few weeks as Emanuel Rodriguez and Melvin Lopez will decide the IBF version.
Lightweight contender Isaac Cruz, who gave Gervonta Davis the toughest fight of his career will battle unbeaten Giovanni Cabrera in a rare two organization eliminator (WBA and WBC).
Cruz stopped Eduardo Ramirez in two rounds in his fight, while Cabrera is unbeaten but lacks power (seven KOs in twenty-one wins) and it's hard to see Cabrera keeping Cruz off him.
Cabrera won an easy decision over one-time prospect Gabriel Flores in his last outing but Top Rank still gave him his release after the bout.
Vince Samano:
TRS: Cruz KO 5
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