World WBO Lightweight titleholder Terence Crawford takes on tough Raymundo Beltran this Saturday Night at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Crawford is a (-805) favorite to retain his belt over Beltran who pays back at (+580). Beltran, however, may warrant a look as an underdog here, as he has a very long resume and he has continued to improve under increasingly tougher competition.
And make no mistake about it, that Crawford is the owner of the belt, but Beltran believes in his head that the belt is his. In September of 2013, Beltran traveled to the UK to face then titleholder Ricky Burns. With a record of (28-6) going in, Beltran was a big underdog to the hometown boy Burns, who was making the third defense of his belt. Beltran was a veteran and thought to be a known quantity, but he took the fight very seriously, as he had finally gotten to a world title shot. He spent two weeks preparing for the fight in the UK getting ready and adjusting.
He was not there to fight for the world title, he was there to take it, and Burns found that out early in the fight. Beltran came forward the whole time and he used a left hook at will to hit Burns, who had his moments but had ceded control of the fight to Beltran early. In the end, Beltran was given a Draw, and the belt stayed home. Though Burns told him they would fight again, Burns dropped the title to Terence Crawford in his next outing.
Crawford is starting to be considered a potential marquee talent, and his boxing skill is considered to be a cut above Beltran’s. Beltran has shown the capacity to solve problems in the ring, but he may be in over his head if he lets Crawford dictate the pace and win rounds. If Beltran can get inside and land to the body, he may be able to slow Crawford down a bit, and then he hopes it will be anybody’s belt.
Take a look at this 30-minute highlight package of Beltran’s fight with Ricky Burns:
