Preview: Terence Crawford versus Shawn Porter with Tommy Rainone

Expect rugged welterweight action on November 20 when Terrence “Bud” Crawford and Shawn Porter meet in a highly anticipated bout. Boxing experts, skeptics, fans, and insiders of the sport are all spouting opinions, but are they on the mark? Is Shawn Porter just too tough for Bud Crawford? Is Bud Crawford the most dangerous fighter in the game today? New York fighter, historian, and commentator Tommy Rainone examined the elements that make up this fight and offered his expert analysis.

In Crawford Rainone sees a versatile fighter, with lots of tools in his arsenal. “Terrence Crawford (37-0) is a hard-punching southpaw that can box just as well,” he said, and further explained his style. “Traditionally southpaws are not come forward aggressors but tend to box and move more. Crawford, along with Errol Spence break the mold that Pacquiao led by example with.”

Rainone also observed Crawford’s ability to be effective at close range. “Crawford is also one of the few fighters in the sport that is truly adept at the lost art of Inside fighting,” he said and continued. “He can be just as dangerous and effective fighting at close range as he can at long-range working behind his jab, and that diversity along with his mental toughness make him a pound for pound top 3 in the world today.” Given Crawford’s skill and mindset, Rainone’s theory is he may be the consummate fighter. “Crawford in many ways is the perfect fighter blending a diverse style of fighting with a toughness and boxing IQ usually reserved for the very best fighters in the world which is exactly what Crawford is.”

Crawford will have his hands full with Shawn Porter (31-3-1), and Rainone knows the reasons why. “You can’t fake experience and Shawn Porter has a ton of it, at a world-class level which he has been competing at since 2013 when he defeated Devon Alexander,” he said and explained Porter’s rough style. “

"Porter is a tough out for any fighter because of his awkward style of mauling his opponents on the inside and roughing them up with pure physicality. If you are not in the best shape of your life then Porter is going to find out,” Rainone promised. “He isn’t the smoothest fighter in the world and his bouts can be a little frustrating to watch at times with his grappling and punching style but the method to the madness has made him one of the top welterweights in a stacked division for years so it works for him.”

Styles make fights, and what Crawford and Porter both bring to the ring are, in Rainone’s opinion, ingredients for a compelling fight. “Crawford is the far more creative fighter of the two as he just had a better skill set and more options,” said Rainone, but hinted that’s not always enough to win the fight. “That doesn’t always translate to victory,” he said. “In boxing, intangibles matter almost as much, and sometimes more than talent. Both men have been to the mountain top and know how to win fights.” In those ways is where Rainone sees a difference in Crawford and Porter. “One of Crawford’s greatest strengths is his ability to make adjustments in that ring,” he revealed, and detailed Porter’s style. “With Porter, we know what we are going to get,” Rainone predicted. “He will be fighting aggressively and look to maul Crawford and grind him down throughout the fight.”

Where it gets interesting, is how Crawford reacts to the pressure created by Porter and has Rainone posing these questions: “Will Crawford look to fight fire with fire and engage in a close-range fight, or will he look to box and counterpunch more?” The answer, according to Rainone is in Crawford’s ability to change. “That’s what makes Crawford so special,” Rainone said. “He can make those adjustments when needed if plan A isn’t working where Porter is far more one dimensional.”

Even if Rainone sees Crawford as the more diverse fighter, that doesn’t mean Porter is an easy fight, by any means. “I see Porter giving Crawford a very hard fight,” Rainone said. “Porter will be as aggressive as Crawford allows him to be. I do feel Terence can make it an easier night if he chooses to box.” But if Crawford has a battle on his mind, he can make it happen. “The thing is that I don’t think Crawford wants an easy night,” Rainone said. “He is looking to impress and the measuring stick that Porter will provide is being the common opponent of both Crawford and Spence, the prospective fight that fans have been salivating over.” Overcoming Porter’s tough aggression is something Crawford is setting his sights on. “He will be looking to win and do so in impressive fashion,” Rainone said. “That’s something Spence and 34 other opponents couldn’t get done, score a knockout over Porter.” Rainone bases his reasoning on Crawford wanting to make a statement and fight Porter’s fight. “I feel like this might turn out to be a great one as it plays to the strengths of Porter who wants an inside dogfight and war of attrition,” he said. “If Crawford comes to rumble and excite more than box this plays to Porter’s greatest strengths.”

When November 20 finally arrives, Crawford and Porter will put everything they have into the ring for one of the year’s most anticipated bouts. Predictions have been bold and of course, hotly debated. Rainone has his, and it reaches beyond the final round of Crawford/Porter, and of course, includes Errol Spence. “ My prediction is a Crawford victory either by late stoppage or a decision that gets very one-sided the last 3, 4 rounds of the night.,” Rainone said with no hesitation and explained his prediction. “Crawford is going to beat Porter at his own inside game but do so with some creativity along the way, mixing up boxing and fighting.” But he doesn’t make his prediction without giving Porter a lot of credit. “I expect Porter to have some early success,” he continued.

“But Crawford is operating on another level right now and one that only Errol Spence can compete within the welterweight decision. Another victory for Crawford.”