Crawford and Matthysse Could Be On Collision Course
Last weekend in Texas former Lightweight titleholder Terence Crawford set a stall for his intentions at Super Lightweight, Lucas Matthysse stamped his authority near the top of the division in New York on the split HBO bill.
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Crawford quickly made a large statement in his new division, claiming the WBO Super Lightweight title with a 6th round stoppage of Thomas Dulorme. Lucas Matthysse found things far tougher in his match-up with Russian brawler Ruslan Provodnikov, escaping with a majority decision win.
The paths of the two victors seem very likely to be intwined in the near future, an exciting prospect of boxer vs puncher.
Are Terence Crawford vs Lucas Matthysse on a collision course?
It was never set in stone or even seriously discussed prior to the two fights taking place in different venues on the same show. But it was not just a strange coincidence that Terence Crawford’s maiden world title shot at 140lbs would come on the same night that two of Bob Arum’s biggest attractions would also lock horns.
Crawford is the next superstar of boxing, especially across the Atlantic. The switch-hitter draws crowds wherever he now fights in the USA, his counter punching style has an added element of excitement too it, with his deadly speed and accuracy accompanying the power he possesses.
While Provodnikov is relentless and a fight between the Russian and Crawford would have been lively, the former Welterweight is rather one-dimensional, and that would have suited a boxer-puncher like Crawford down to the ground, especially as he is harder to hit than Matthysse.
Matthysse can box himself, and has more speed than the Russian slugger.
It would also prove interesting to see if ‘Bud’ Crawford could dent the chin of Matthysse, considering Crawford’s growing power and Matthysse’s solid chin.
The close nature of the Matthysse-Provodnikov fight could however keep a potential contest between the two Top Rank fighters on hold. A rematch between the two seems to be likely and it is unlikely that Bob Arum would put Matthysse in the ring with Crawford in between if they do not go ahead with an immediate return.
It can also be noted that Matthysse is just below Chris Algieri in the WBO rankings at number 2 following Crawford’s victory. So it may not be too long before purse bids are ordered for the fight to take place.
Crawford vs Danny Garcia is a no go!
Unfortunately a fight between arguably the two best Super Lightweights in the world won’t be happening. Had Danny Garcia stayed under the Golden Boy Promotions banner then with Oscar De La Hoya’s breaking of the cold war the fight would have looked a good possibility, but as Garcia is managed and promoted by Al Haymon the fight has little to no chance of materialising.
Unification fight with Jessie Vargas?
The undefeated Jessie Vargas holds the ‘Regular’ version of the WBA Super Lightweight title – Danny Garcia has the WBA ‘Super’ title – and he is also promoted by Bob Arum.
It’s an extremely winnable fight first of all for Nebraska’s Crawford, Vargas has come close to losing on a couple of occasions, and with Crawford’s size it would be a wise bet that he would add Vargas’ title to his own WBO crown.
The fight is almost guaranteed to entertain too, Vargas often looks to box but his lack of power leads to a tear-up with most of his more aggressive opponents. After a couple of rounds to feel out his opponent, Crawford would likely begin to close the gap looking for another potential stoppage.
Should Vargas still hold the WBA title then we could well see this fight happen near the end of 2015 or early 2016.
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