HBO Fight Preview

Terence Crawford vs. Raymundo Beltran 

It was only a year ago that Terence Crawford was a virtual unknown in the boxing world facing off against power punching Breidis Prescott as a late fill-in.  Crawford won that fight handily and hasn't looked back.  Now Crawford is the best lightweight in the sport and looks to be a future star,  If he wants to achieve that stardom he will have to get passed the tough Raymundo Beltran.  The two fighters are set to square off this Saturday in a 12 round bout for Crawford's WBO lightweight title.

Crawford has talent and drawing power

Perhaps the most difficult thing for Crawford's opponents is that he has the ability to box as an orthodox fighter or as a southpaw and he does both at an extremely high level.  Also his high level of defense and ring intelligence doesn't make things any easier for his opponents.  It's tough to say whether Crawford fights better as a southpaw or orthodox fighter because he always looks so sharp.  His right hand is his stronger hand so his jab is usually better as a southpaw and his right hook can drop opponents.  When he chooses to fight in the orthodox stance his jab is weaker but he does throw a nice short left hook and his straight right hand is also a great weapon.  Not only is Crawford an undefeated fighter but it looks like there isn't another lightweight who can legitimately challenge his thrown.

Crawford's fight against Prescott wasn't only his coming out party but it was also his first career 10 round fight.  Since that win Crawford has handled other quality opponents such as Andrey Klimov, Ricky Burns, and Yuriorkis Gamboa with ease.  As a professional Crawford has put together a record of 24-0 and he has recorded 17 knockouts which is impressive especially since he isn't first thought of as a power puncher.  In 2014 Crawford is in the running to win the title of Fighter of the Year but he will need to beat the hungry Beltran to do so.

Beltran is no longer just a sparring partner

Many fans known Beltran for being Manny Pacquiao's chief sparring partner for many years.  He was always looked at as a tough, hungry fighter but one that would never get to the A-level.  However in recent years Beltran has started to climb the ladder.  Beltran is an aggressive orthodox fighter who likes to bang on the inside.  He doesn't jab very often and instead likes to work behind a stiff straight right hand and a hard left hook.  He will also throw a beautiful uppercut with his left hand that catches opponents off guard.  Beltran's best punch is definitely his left hook and he does a great job of bringing it to the body which he will need to do in order to slow down Crawford.

Beltran really started to gain some respect in 2012 when he beat Henry "Hank" Lundy.  Since his fight with Lundy, Crawford has gone 4-0-1 with his draw coming against Ricky Burns in a fight everyone besides the judges sitting ringside thought he won.  While his overall record doesn't look very impressive at 29-6-1 with 17 knockouts many of his losses came early in his career and since 2012 he has looked like a different fighter.  This will be the biggest fight of Beltran's career and a win would make him the man in the lightweight division.

This fight promises to be just as exciting as Crawford's last bout against Gamboa.  Crawford will be the slicker fighter on Saturday but Beltran will be hungry to seize the moment.  Crawford should stay on the outside where he can avoid the left hook of Beltran and use his hand speed to outbox him.  For Beltran he will need to cut off the ring and trap Crawford along the ropes and in the corners where he can unleash his left hook to the body.  Whoever wins this fight will be the king of the lightweight division and will have another big fight very soon.

PREDICTION: Raymundo Beltran is a good tough fighter but class tells over time and Terence Crawford is in a different class than Beltran.  Crawford is a superstar in the making and should give fans another star performance as he stops Beltran in the 10th round.

Evgeny Gradovich vs. Jayson Velez

The co-feature of Saturday's HBO card will also be a title fight.  This one will be between "The Russian Mexican" Evgeny Gradovich and Jayson Velez.  Both fighters are undefeated so there will be a lot on the line.  It will be interesting to see which fighter comes out on top due to their contrasting styles.  This fight will not only be to see who losses their perfect record but they will also be competing to take home Gradovich's IBF featherweight title.

Gradovich has never lost as a professional

Gradovich is an orthodox fighter without much power but he doesn't fight that way.  One might expect a light puncher to stay on the outside but Gradovich likes to work in the pocket and stand and trade.  He has quick hands and he shows that speed with a nice jab and left hook.  "The Russian Mexican" also has a very nice straight right hand and he lands it often because of his ability to time his opponents punches.  This will be a high profile fight for Gradovich who has usually appeared on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights and a win would certainly help him gain more attention within the sport in the crowded featherweight division.

For a long time Gradovich was never viewed as a top fighter.  People always looked at him as a tough kid but one whose skills weren't sharp enough.  That perception changed in 2013 when Gradovich handled then champion Billy Dib and then stopped him in their rematch that same year.  Since turning pro in 2010 Gradovich has put together a record of 19-0 with 9 knockout and he is on the cusp of some very big fights if he can beat the undefeated Velez.

Gradovich will be a big test for Velez

Velez is a young talented fighter but has never faced anyone as good as Gradovich.  Velez is an orthodox puncher who has a nice stiff jab and a powerful left hook to go along with a nice straight right hand.  The problem is that Velez's hand speed isn't all that great and he tends to get wild and will sometimes forget to stay safe on defense when he gets in an exchange.  This fight should tell fans a lot more about how good or maybe average Velez truly is.

It could be possible that the impressive record of Velez is all smoke and mirrors.  He isn't the sharpest puncher in the world and he will often get wild when the action picks up.  He has amassed a perfect record of 22-0 with a strong 16 knockouts as a pro but he hasn't yet faced any top competition.  Gradovich will be the toughest test of Velez's career but if Velez were to win he would go on to big things.

This fight really comes down to just how good Velez is.  He has been feasting on average competition and there is a chance he may get exposed by Gradovich.  Gradovich will has the faster hands in this fight and his ability to time punches will be very helpful against Velez who throws wide, wild punches.  Gradovich may be able to pick Velez apart but he does like to fight on the inside so he needs to be careful not to get caught clean because Velez does have good power.

PREDICTION: Jayson Velez is not as good as his record indicates and Evgeny Gradovich will make that clear.  Gradovich's crisper punches and his ability to time Velez will be the difference and he will outbox his counterpart to a unanimous decision victory.