From friends to foes: Terence Crawford fights Shawn Porter

In most ways, Terence "Bud" Crawford and "Showtime" Shawn Porter are opposites.

One is laid back - the other flashy. One is no-nonsense, the other always seems happy.

Both have reached the top of the championship mountain though overall respect from the masses is lacking.

That seeming lack of respect will be settled in the ring on November 20th in Las Vegas, NV.

Crawford is undefeated in 37 fights with 28 knockouts. He won his first title in 2014 when he travelled to Glasgow and beat-up Ricky Burns. Crawford defended his newly won belt before moving up to junior welterweight and dispatching Thomas Dulorme with ease to win his second title. He added The Ring and WBC belts to his resume when he pounded on Victor Postol for 12 rounds. A third-round blowout of Julius Indongo unified the division.

A little over three years ago, he beat the stuffing out of defending WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn. No surprise there. Boxing has levels. Four successful defences’ have followed, the latest five-round knocked over former champion Kell Brook who was stunned by what had happened to him.

Said Brook, "Never in my career, nobody has ever done that to me in sparring or anything. Brook had been knocked senseless by one punch. Crawford packs some major pop.

Nobody has ever really questioned his skills. It’s his resume that draws criticism.

Enter former two-time welterweight titleholder, Shawn Porter.

“We (Porter) have always have had a good relationship ever since the amateur days,” said Crawford a few weeks ago during a press conference. “There has never been any bad blood. It’s always been all love, but come November 20, we step on him,”

Porter, known for his furious storm style of boxing, has been victorious in 31 of 34 fights, with 17 KOs. He won world championship honors in 2013 by defeating Devon Alexander. Kell Brook took his title a year later by close decision. Porter defeated childhood friend Adrien Broner-which earned him a shot at the then-welterweight champion, Keith Thurman. Porter had his moments, roughing Thurman up and winning some rounds, but the champion’s quickness was enough to edge Porter’s aggressiveness.

When a rematch with Thurman didn’t materialize, underdog Porter defeated Danny Garcia to capture the WBC welterweight belt. He did it by adding another wrinkle to his game. His attack was more calculated than hyperactive. He boxed - surprising Garcia.

“We can talk all about resumes, but when I look at his resume, nobody that has been in the ring with him knows him as I know him,” said Porter. “The best of Terence Crawford will bring out the best of Shawn Porter.”

Crawford’s game is rich - while Porter, though not as skilled as Crawford, is damn good. And very determined.

To pull the upset, Porter needs to start fast and take Crawford out of his game. Crawford is a rhythm fighter.

When he finds his grove and figures out his opponent, it’s usually lights out.

Crawford by late stoppage or unanimous decision.