Terence Crawford vs. Egidijus Kavaliauskas - December 14, 2019

[sturm vogel]

Crawford will likely win this by TKO. Not that Crawford is strong or even powerful, as he's neither, but he IS an excellent boxer with sharp counter punching ability and that's were he gets the knockouts from. The question is how good is Kaval's chin -in other words, how many rounds? His chin is much better than Khan's (just an example) so this will go 6-12 before the stoppage.

[lazboy]

No doubt Crawford technique and with that, his precision helps his power.

Saying that I think he is really growing into the welterweight division and is one of its biggest punchers. He’s powerful in my opinion, not just due to technique, his long limbs generate torque.

Spence has fought the better opponents lately so It’s hard to compare the power but my gut says Crawford may hit harder.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Boxing’s pound-for-pound boogeyman is ready to battle the machine. Terence “Bud” Crawford will defend his WBO welterweight world title against undefeated mandatory challenger Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas Saturday, December 14 at Madison Square Garden as part of a special ESPN-televised tripleheader that will immediately follow the 2019 Heisman Trophy Presentation (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT). ESPN Deportes will provide the Spanish-language telecast.

Richard Commey vs. Teofimo Lopez in co-feature

The triple-header on ESPN and ESPN Deportes will also feature IBF lightweight world champion Richard Commey defending his title against human highlight film and Brooklyn native Teofimo Lopez. Additionally, in the 10-round featherweight special attraction, Irish sensation and New York fan favorite Michael “Mick” Conlan will battle unbeaten Russian Vladimir Nikitin in a rematch of their highly controversial 2016 Olympic quarterfinal bout.

The undercard, with fights to be announced in the coming weeks, will stream exclusively on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

“This is the best fight card of the year, and Madison Square Garden is a fitting venue for what will be a special night,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Terence Crawford is a generational talent, but he’ll have his hands full against the ‘Mean Machine.’ Teofimo Lopez is taking a giant step up against Commey, and it will be a tremendous fight. Mick Conlan has been asking for Nikitin since the day he signed with Top Rank. He finally gets his wish, and I know he wants to correct the tremendous injustice of the Rio Olympics.”

Crawford vows to be prepared for Kavaliauskas

“Egidijus Kavaliauskas is a two-time Olympian and I can’t take him lightly,” Crawford said. “He’s got everything to gain and nothing to lose and that makes him dangerous. I never overlook any opponent, and this will be no exception. I’ll be ready for anything and everything he brings on December 14 when I return to my second home, Madison Square Garden, and live on ESPN.”

“I have prepared my whole boxing career for a fight of this magnitude,” Kavaliauskas said. “Terence Crawford is an excellent fighter, but I fear no man. Nobody has seen the best of the ‘Mean Machine’ yet. I am going to shock a lot of people on December 14, but it won’t be a surprise to me. I earned this title shot. It is my time.”

Crawford (35-0, 26 KOs), the pride of Omaha, Nebraska, has been impeccable since turning professional, winning world titles in three weight classes and unifying all four major world titles at super lightweight. He is 13-0 with 10 knockouts in world title bouts and has knocked out his last six opponents, including Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz, bitter rival Jose Benavidez Jr. and Manny Pacquiao conqueror Jeff “The Hornet” Horn. In his last bout, April 20 at Madison Square Garden, Crawford neutralized former unified super lightweight world champion Amir “King” Khan en route to a sixth-round TKO after Khan could not continue following a low blow. Kavaliauskas (21-0-1, 17 KOs) will be the fourth undefeated fighter Crawford has faced in his last five bouts.

Kavaliauskas has been piling up the victories

A native of Kaunas, Lithuania, Kavaliauskas represented his homeland at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, rising the professional ranks with convincing victories over perennial contenders Juan Carlos Abreu and Roberto Arriaza. Kavaliauskas has a February 2018 TKO win over David Avanesyan, who is now the current European welterweight champion. He has never been knocked down as a pro or amateur and trains out of the famed Boxing Laboratory in Oxnard, California.

Commey (29-2, 24 KOs) has had a career year, winning the vacant IBF lightweight title February 2 in Frisco, Texas with a devastating second-round TKO over Isa Chaniev. He defended the belt June 29, knocking down former lightweight world champion Ray Beltran down four times before stopping him in the eighth round. A native of, Accra, Ghana, he has won four in a row by knockout.

Crawford vs. Kavaliauskas ticket information

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment and MTK Global, tickets priced at $506, $306, $206, $106 and $56 (not including applicable fees) go on sale Friday, October 18 at 12 p.m. ET and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.

[Onetimeonly]

Smart card from arum. Conlan will sell a ton of tickets to make bud look good.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[margaret thatcher]

Loving Lopez-Commey

[Cent0089]

Can Kavaliauskas bring ANYTHING that pose threat for Crawford?

[margaret thatcher]

He has power, but in that clubbing crude way that Crawford is far too good to fall victim too. Realistically, this is possibly the best fighter in boxing vs a guy who is probably below average as a contender

[Onetimeonly]

Can Kavaliauskas bring ANYTHING that pose threat for Crawford?

No

[oogiebe]

Can Kavaliauskas bring ANYTHING that pose threat for Crawford?

No

x2

[margaret thatcher]

Mexi Box was crazy over this Lithuanian dude, he ain't here now to hype this up though

[oogiebe]

Mexi Box was crazy over this Lithuanian dude, he ain't here now to hype this up though

I remember that guy! Self-aggrandizing buffoon. LOL!

[margaret thatcher]

Lol, he must've used the phrase 'Boxrec Warrior' about 10,000 times

[Onetimeonly]

Mexi Box was crazy over this Lithuanian dude, he ain't here now to hype this up though

good ole mexiwrong.

[oogiebe]

Mexi Box was crazy over this Lithuanian dude, he ain't here now to hype this up though

good ole mexiwrong.

Quite!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Edgar Berlenga, Josue Vargas To Return on Crawford-Kavaliauskas

Edgar Berlenga Jr and Josue Vargas are set to light up Madison Square Garden on the December 14 mega card presented by Top Rank that features pound for pound superstar Terrence Crawford defending his world welterweight title against Egis Kavaliauskas, Richard Commey's world title defense against Teofimo Lopez and Irish superstar Michael Conlan's highly anticipated grudge match against Olympic foe Vladimir Nikitin.

Berlenga Jr and Vargas work under the watchful eye of famed trainer Andre Rozier, with the pair also working with their own fathers in different capacities. Rozier, who has Commey on the December 14 card opened up about the progression of the two New York prodigy's that he refers to as 'The New York Ricans'.

Rozier said, "I'm very excited for both Edgar and Josue to be on this massive Top Rank show on December 14 at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden. This is the platform that these boys need, as they are two unbelievable talents that I have no doubt will be world champions in the future.

"It's going to be a busy night for myself and Team Havoc, as we have Richard Commey also on the card in his massive clash with Teofimo Lopez, but I expect standout performances from Josue, who is also trained by his father and he produced a classy performance recently in Philadelphia, Edgar Berlenga Jr who is an absolute beast and is coming on leaps and bounds constantly and of course I expect Richard Commey to defend his world title."

Vargas recently ran out victorious on the undercard of one of the fights of the year in Berterbiev and Gvozdyk and the Bronx based prodigy gave his take on his last performance and what he sees for December 14.

Vargas said, "I fought a tough fighter in my last fight and I feel I performed well. I am getting better with each fight and continuing to learn and hopefully, I can move into the world rankings soon, so I am hoping for a step up on December 14. The better the opponent the better Josue Vargas you will see."

Edgar Berlenga Jr has an unprecedented twelve first-round knockout victories from his first twelve professional fights. The hard-hitting middleweight weighed in on what he sees for himself on December 14.

Berlenga Jr commented, "People are asking whether or not I have the stamina to go the distance. I am always conditioned for the distance, that has never been a problem. I want a step up as I want to capture a title in early 2020, so I would like an opponent that can last more than one round.

"I am learning a lot under the guidance of Andre Rozier and Team Havoc so I expect an improved performance from a technical aspect on December 14 but also an explosive one."

[JxhDel.]

The Machine has his fair share of roughshed, but we know how Terence can play it for his plan.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Bandog]

It's Crawford's own fault he is fighting this guy, after re-signing with TR. I was hoping he would throw Amir Khan like money at Danny Garcia to see if he will fight. At least the two split in the amateurs, and they could bill it as the rubber match instead of this mean machine BS. Ugas would have been better, since he KO'd Ray Robinson if my memory is correct, and nearly beat Porter.
Bob Arum is just keeping him winning in hopes of a showdown with Spence once he returns. Not sure Spence will make 147 anymore though. He needs to be full strength for someone like Crawford. I think the weight draining is catching up with him.

Edit: I watched an interview with Danny Garcia, and he said the $3 million offer he got to fight Crawford before Crawford fought Khan for $5 million was phony, and he never even got a phone call. That really makes this current fight look like BS.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Kavaliauskas: When I Beat Crawford - I'm One of World's Best!

WBO welterweight world champion Terence "Bud" Crawford is taking no chances when he returns to New York's Madison Square Garden Saturday evening in the main event position.

Kavaliauskas is confident, despite the recent setback, and believes he has enough skill to shock the world at MSG - the same venue where Andy Ruiz shocked the world in June when he stopped massive favorite Anthony Joshua for the heavyweight crown.

"This is a great opportunity for me against the world's best fighter. When I win, I will be considered one of the world's best fighters. Terence Crawford is a great fighter, which is why I wanted this fight. I am ranked number one for a reason. I am here for a reason, and I can't wait for Saturday night," Kavaliauskas said.

"The way to win a title is to fight the best, and Terence is the best welterweight in the world. I want that title, and I will be the first Lithuanian-born boxer ever to win a world title."

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]