We were fortunate enough to be able to get a hold of undefeated WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford yesterday afternoon to discuss his April 20th showdown with Amir Khan on ESPN PPV. Crawford pulls no punches in this must read interview that can only be found on Boxingtalk. You don't want to miss what the best boxer in America, and maybe the world, had to say.Â
Greg Leon: The fight is now official, you will square off with Amir Khan on April 20th. Can you give us some thoughts on the whole event and experience in the UK?Â
Terence Crawford: "It was great. A lot of people came out to show support at the press conference and on April 20th we've got a fight on our hands."
GL: There's going to be some smoke in the city on 4-20.
TC: "Facts!"
GL: What city though?
TC: "They don't know yet. It's going to be New York or Vegas. They don't have a venue locked in yet, but I think they'll have one soon."
GL: Do you have a preference?
TC: "Not really, but I would like to go back to Vegas."
GL: What are your thoughts on Khan as a fighter?
TC: "He's a good fighter. A lot of people aren't giving him any credit being that he got knocked out by Canelo and Danny Garcia, but at the same time he's still got skills and he's still got speed. I consider him a dangerous fighter at the end of the day."
GL: Against Canelo Alvarez, Khan was fighting in a division he never belonged in. If my memory serves me correctly, he was winning every second against Danny Garcia until he got clipped.
TC: "That's correct."
GL: What challenges do you think he brings to the table?
TC: "We'll have to see. Everybody alludes to his speed, but at the same time I'm fast too and not a slow fighter myself. As far as what he brings to the table, we'll have to see what happens when we fight."
GL: Do you see this fight going the distance?
TC: "I never look at a fight and say this fight is going to be a knockout or this fight will go the distance. I just look at it as I'm going in there for the win and that's what I'm going to do."
GL: How do you feel about being on PPV?
TC: "It's cool. This is the second PPV that I've been on and it's against a much bigger name than Postol since a lot of people in the United States and overseas know who Amir Khan is. I'm looking for a good turnout in this fight."
GL: Are you hoping this is a fight that does something for your star power since Khan is a recognizable name that has been in the ring with some of the best fighters in the world?
TC: "Yes, I'm looking forward to boosting my career in this fight. I'm looking forward to getting bigger and better fights down the line. This fight will help my status at 147 as one of the top welterweights, if not the top welterweight in the division."
GL: What does a victory in this fight mean to you?
TC: "Bigger things coming in the future and I'm looking forward to it."
GL: Do you see unification happening this year? Or are you no longer concerned about that now that you've got a date locked in?
TC: "I can't focus on anybody but Khan right now. I'm sure all of the other welterweights are only focusing on the guys that they're fighting. All of the top guys in the welterweight division have their fights lined up, so I'm pretty sure everybody is focusing on the task at hand."
GL: With you and Spence going on PPV, is it important to you to do more buys and put on a more dominant performance than he does? Does that matter to you?
TC: "My main thing is not to worry about the next man. I'm worried about myself and what I've got to do in the ring when that bell rings. I can't focus on what anybody is doing. If Spence does a certain number and I do a certain number, or he's supposed to be selling more or I'm supposed to be selling more, it really doesn't matter as long as I'm fine with what I'm making and he's fine with what he's making."
GL: Who do you like the Shawn Porter-Yordanis Ugas fight?
TC: "Oh man that's going to be a great fight. I'm really cool with both of them I'm familiar with both of them because we all came up during the same Olympic year. Ugas is a terrific counter puncher who knows how to go to the body a lot. Shawn Porter can box and bang, and he's strong and also faster than a lot of people think. I give the edge to Shawn Porter to win the fight, but I think it's going to be a great fight."
GL: Since you've seen Khan get stopped a few times will that lead to you looking to get rid of him quickly?
TC: "Never. I never look at fights like that, I never go into training camp looking for a knockout. If the knockout comes it comes and if it doesn't I'm always satisfied with a win."
GL: Does this fight getting finalized prove your point that rival companies can make fights happen if they really want to do business?
TC: "Most definitely! It's like I always say, if the promoters and the fighters really want to make a deal then deals can be made."
GL: Are you riding with Pacquiao on Saturday night?
TC: "Naw, I'm rocking with Broner. I know it's going to be tough, but I think he's going to be able to do what he's got to do in order to get the job done. He's got to let his hands go though."
GL: Keith Thurman's got a fight coming up. Do you think he's going to be the same Keith Thurman he was following his wins over Porter and Garcia?
TC: "That's what we're all waiting to see. We're waiting to see if the power and sharpness are going to be there. We know he's going to be dealing with a little bit of ring rust, but we're all waiting to see how he comes back. There's a lot of questions that are going to be answered when he fights."
GL: If all the champions remain the same after their respective next fights, who would you want to unify with the most?
TC: "I don't really care. Me and Shawn are cool so I wouldn't want to make that fight right now. If me and Shawn had to fight I would want it to be the last one. Spence of Thurman would be my top choice."
GL: Closing thoughts for the fans.
TC: "4-20, don't miss out on the fireworks!"Â
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