Top Rank Promotions and HBO have several eggs in the Terence Crawford, lightweight basket after losing Adrien "The Problem" Broner to Showtime. However, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum isn't losing any sleep over it, because he views Crawford as the superior option.
Many compare Broner to Floyd Mayweather Jr., both in style and out-of-the-ring antics, and see him as boxing's next bellwether. Not Arum.
"I think there's tremendous upside with Terence Crawford, and if I have my choice between the two fighters, Adrien Broner or Crawford, I would go with Crawford," Arum said. When asked why, Arum replied, "I think he's more talented, and certainly more gifted."
Crawford is an ambidextrous fighter who routinely switches between conventional and southpaw stances to throw off opponents. He's 22-0-0 with 16 knockouts, and most recently shut out Andrey Klimov on many scorecards fighting on the undercard of Miguel Cotto vs. Delvin Rodriguez.
Crawford made his name as an emergency replacement for Khabib Allakhverdiev on March 30th against more highly touted Breidis Prescott, and built on that performance with a June TKO win against Alejandro Sanabria. Now that he's knocked off Klimov, Crawford is likely in line for a title shot against Ricky Burns.
"When Khabib Allakhverdiev fell out of the fight with Prescott and they were looking for a replacement I immediately zeroed in on Terence. I have always been impressed with his talent, and now thanks to HBO, that talent is being showcased."
Crawford is fairly low key, but that is to Arum's liking. He doesn't believe the lower profile will stop Crawford from becoming a bankable fighter.
"I think that we have a whole history of fighters who conduct themselves like gentlemen and yet were able to monetize their performances," Arum said. "Miguel Cotto is one. Manny Pacquiao is another. You don't have to act like a jerk in order to make money."
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