Boxing trainer turned analyst, Teddy Atlas, is one of the sport’s most respected voices when it comes to the breakdown and of fighters and fights.
It’s no wonder then that he’s talked at length about the Errol Spence Jr versus Terence Crawford bout – one that’s been bubbling frustratingly beneath the surface for years now.
Fans were delighted to see it officially announced this month, and will see the two undefeated welterweight champions face off on July 29 in Las Vegas.
Amidst his breakdown of the fight on his podcast, Atlas paid respect to both men but paused to reveal that he had Crawford as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.
“Crawford – one thing I’ll say to begin with, and everybody knows I think a lot of him, I think I got him number one pound for pound. A lot of people disagree, I don’t. I’ve got Spence right up there too, but I have Crawford number one.”
He praised Crawford’s adaptability, and said his instincts in the ring were the best he’s ever seen.
“He controls range really well with his length. He’s got long arms. He sets up counters, but he can also go in close and fight with you too. He has great instincts – matter of fact, he might have the greatest instincts I’ve ever seen in a fighter … And I’ve seen a lot of fighters.”
Crawford will enter the ring against Spence a slight bookmakers favourite, but many are picking the latter to win regardless.
It’s that which makes the fight one of the most intriguing the sport can offer – and it just so happens that the winner will make history as the first four-belt champion in the welterweight division.