(Photo courtesy of Will Paul) Junior welterweights Hank Lundy and Terence Crawford each made weight Friday at the Theater Lobby at the Madison Square Garden in advance of their 12-round World Boxing Organization (WBO) world title bout Saturday in the main event of HBO’s World Championship Boxing doubleheader, promoted by Top Rank and CES Boxing. mPhiladelphia’s Lundy (26-5-1, 13 KOs) weighed 138.2 pounds, well below the 140-pond weight limit, while the undefeated, reigning champion Crawford (27-0, 19 KOs) tipped the scales at 139.2.
Friday’s weigh-in was rare in that the main event fighters did not share the stage or pose for a face-off following a near altercation between the two at Thursday’s final press conference at Chase Square.
After speaking to the press for the final time Thursday, Lundy and Crawford stood toe-to-toe on stage for one last photo op. Lundy kept jawing and Crawford eventually shoved him, leading to a minor scuffle between both sides. Cooler heads prevailed, but state officials decided Friday it’d be best if the two kept their distance once it was time to step on the scale.
“It’s going to be electric,” Lundy said after successfully making weight. “It’s showtime, baby!”
What was once considered a second-rate fight for Crawford by boxing experts has become must-see TV due to Lundy’s bold prediction of a knockout win and the sudden heated rivalry between the two. Fans of both fighters have come out in droves, invading Times Square in a sea of red (for Crawford) and blue (for Lundy). Some, including Lundy himself, have suggested the challenger has worked his way inside Crawford’s head, causing the champion to react with a rare lack of restraint.
Crawford, who has successfully defended his title four times, apologized for shoving Lundy late Thursday night via Twitter, but denied he’s lost the mental battle heading into Saturday’s bout.
“He talks a lot,” Crawford said. “I’m going to go in there and do what I do best.”
The Feb. 27th HBO doubleheader, which begins 10 p.m. ET, also features a 10-round WBO Latino lightweight title bout between reigning champion Felix Verdejo (19-0, 14 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and unbeaten challenger William Silva (23-0, 14 KOs) of San Paolo, Brazil.
