Sports Eye
Crawford vs. Benavidez
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
I make it a point not to miss a world boxing title even on television so I don’t hesitate to cancel my appointments on appointed time. Boxing is my second much loved sport after cycling. Boxing runs in my veins maybe and perhaps because of my two genes, (Filipino-Mexican). Yes, boxing is both Philippines’ and Mexico’s second favorite sport. So wonder no more why most of the world title fights in this era are about Filipino versus Mexican in the lower divisions, led by our national sports treasure Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, Donnie Nietes, Nonito Donaire, Jr., Romero Duno, and the latest Jerwin Ancajas, to name some.
Last Sunday (October 14), another big world title bout was held so I found myself canceling and rescheduling my appointments so I won’t miss the world title clash between two undefeated pugilists, the black American Terence Crawford against Mexican-American Jose Benavidez, Jr. for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown. As expected, the world famous, the tenacious Crawford, 31, eventually decked the six-foot-two braggart and flashy challenger Benavidez twice in the 12th and final round, 18 seconds left, to score a technical knockout win. That win enabled him to retain his title in his first defense and claim to be the number one pound-for-pound king of world boxing overtaking middleweight champ Mexican Canelo Alvarez and lightweight titlist Vasyl Lomachenco.
We saw how the determined Crawford used an uppercut on Benavidez’s chin to knock him down finally in the 12th canto, then followed it up with consecutive rights for the second knockdown prompting referee Celestino Ruiz to halt the battle of the two untainted fighters.
Like Pacman, the Nebraska-born five-foot-eight Crawford is a southpaw and improved his record with 34 wins, 25 of them via stoppages, and zero defeat. The previously undefeated six-foot-two WBO 10th-ranked Benavidez, 26, dropped his mark to 27 victories 18 of them via knockouts and (now) with one defeat.
“I shut his mouth for being so talkative before the fight and shoved me during the weigh-in,” said a pissed Crawford after the fight.
During the post-fight interview, the garrulous Benavidez who once sparred with Pacquiao during Pacman’s prime, surprisingly tame, “I gave him a good fight. He’s the best of the best.” He’s right. Benavidez was clearly outclassed and outdueled before the stoppage. I give him the first, sixth and the tenth rounds before the halt and the rest were all for Crawford.
Report says the next up for Crawford is a unification bout with International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight titleholder Errol Spence, Jr., sometime in 2019.
I hope that will push through. I believe it will be a battle of two intelligent ring warriors with mortal fists. For sure it will be a ‘hell of a fight.” Like Crawford, Spence is a southpaw, likewise undefeated with 24 wins and 21 of them via knockouts.
Pacquiao versus Crawford? Perhaps that will come later, or not at all. And if it does, I go for Crawford. Why? Because Crawford is now at the peak of his career, while the aging Pacman is already turning 40 this coming December 17. But if Pacman were as young as Crawford, then no doubt I go for Pacman.
“Mahirap kontrahin ang edad,” as the saying goes. I believe. That happened to me during father time.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore, your sin remains. JOHN 9: 41
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