International Boxing Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins Jr. is no stranger to big fights.
The former undisputed world middleweight champion never shied away from facing the best of the best in his long 67-fight career.
He recorded 19 consecutive title defenses in that division before later stepping up to become the lineal light heavyweight titleholder and face top-quality opposition including Joe Calzaghe, Roy Jones Jr. and Sergey Kovalev.
As such, he is well-placed to comment on the much anticipated upcoming bout between two of the best current pound-for-pound fighters in boxing.
On Saturday, July 29th, Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford step up for a legacy fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and ‘The Executioner’ finds it a tough one to call.
Speaking to Fight Hub, he initially sits on the fence before offering up his prediction.
“On paper right now, and talent-wise, I see this fight being a pick-em.
I’m leaning more towards Spence based on style, but Crawford is live, dangerous, and ready to prove [himself] to the world, to the naysayers, to everybody. I believe Crawford got the bigger chip on his shoulder.
I believe Spence is the most talented one of the two, but that alone won’t be [enough] for this fight to be won or lost.”
The struggle he has in calling this fight is shared by many in the boxing world who view this as one of the most even battles of recent times.
While Barry McGuigan recently shared concerns over Spence’s speech, Kell Brook – a former foe of both boxers – claims Spence is the bigger puncher but is ultimately leaning towards Crawford, calling him “more of a surgeon.”