Undefeated American southpaw Terence Crawford wants to prove he’s the “best fighter on the planet” when he looks to defend his WBO welterweight title against David Avanesyan on Saturday.
Former undisputed world light welterweight champion Crawford, 35, has won his 38 fights.
Russian Avanesyan, 34, is the European champion in the 147-pound division.
“My goal is to remind the world that I’m the best fighter on the planet,” Crawford said before the fight in Nebraska.
Crawford’s main rival in the division is fellow undefeated Errol Spence Jr.
There was a lot of anticipation that a fight between the two would happen this year, but it didn’t happen and Crawford says his only focus is his next opponent.
“I’m very focused and have been since day one – strictly on Avanesyan,” Crawford said.
“We know what he brings to the table, but we’re going to take it to the next level. We’ll be victorious and we’ll have fun doing it.”
This will be Crawford’s sixth time looking to defend his title, most recently retaining it with a Stopped on the 10th lap by Shawn Porter in November 2021.
Crawford hasn’t gone the distance in over six years, but he will face an opponent who has won his last six fights, dating back to March 2019.
Avanesyan recently beat Finland’s Oskari Metz in London in March with a first-round stoppage.
“It’s a huge fight,” Avanesyan said. “Everyone is talking about Terence. I’m not just here to decisively win this fight, but to shock the world.”
