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TERENCE CRAWFORD ON RAY BELTRAN: "WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST...ONCE I'M ON MY GAME, IT REALLY DON'T EVEN MATTER"

By Ben Thompson | November 24, 2014
TERENCE CRAWFORD ON RAY BELTRAN:

"I've been watching him in his fights coming up, so we've been on the lookout for him, and now that we're here, we know that he's a very craft veteran in the game. He's very tough. He's been in there with a lot of people that got a lot of talent. He came up short in a couple of them and he won a few of them, so we're not taking him lightly. We know what we're up against and we're going go in there and get the job done...A lot of people don't give him the credit that he deserves. They just think he's a walk in the park, but we know better than that. He's going to come out, give his all, and he's going to be there all night," stated WBO lightweight champion Terence Crawford, who talked about his upcoming title defense this Saturday against Ray Beltran. Check out what else he had to say!

BT: What's up, T? The fight is right around the corner. I know you're putting the finishing touches on everything. How did training camp go for you?

TC: Aw man, it's good. Everything is on schedule and we're just ready.

BT: This is back-to-back hometown fights for you. Has the experience been any different this second time than it was the first time?

TC: It's been about the same. As far as training, we changed up a couple of things, you know, what we're going to do according to his style, but other than that, everything's been the same.

BT: With this being your second fight back at home, was the promotional aspect of the fight any different?

TC: I wasn't running around or nothing. I was just basically chilling because we already knew what to prepare for and what we were going to be up against coming back from training camp the first time, so we got everything under control this time as well.

BT: It's not often that a world champion gets to come back home and fight in front of his hometown fans on a consistent basis.

TC: Yeah, you know, when they seen the crowd that I brought in and the performance that I put on against Gamboa, they just wanted to come back and I was all for it, so here we is.

BT: Were things any different for you back at home after that performance against Gamboa?

TC: Nah. I mean, a little bit because, like I said, man, this is something that everybody's been waiting for since I was an amateur. You know, "When are you fighting in Omaha? When are you fighting in Omaha?" So for them to get the chance for me to fight in Omaha, they was just ready, and now that everybody that didn't know me, after seeing me fight, they're more excited to come and see me again.

BT: Let's talk about the fight for a minute. Obviously you're fighting Ray Beltran, whose been in with a variety of fighters. How much do you personally know about him? Were you familiar with him before you got the fight?

TC: Oh, I knew a lot about him, you know. I've been watching him in his fights coming up, so we've been on the lookout for him, and now that we're here, we know that he's a very craft veteran in the game. He's very tough. He's been in there with a lot of people that got a lot of talent. He came up short in a couple of them and he won a few of them, so we're not taking him lightly. We know what we're up against and we're going go in there and get the job done.

BT: Would you consider him to be an underrated fighter that could be a trap fight if you don't take him seriously or should this be an easy night's work for you?

TC: Oh, he's real serious. I think he's very underrated. A lot of people don't give him the credit that he deserves. They just think he's a walk in the park, but we know better than that. He's going to come out, give his all, and he's going to be there all night.

BT: Are you expecting him to try and make it a war with you?

TC: Well you never know, you know. You never know because he can box too. We're just going to be ready for whatever he brings. Man, I'ma tell you like this, man, it don't matter when I'm in the ring. Once I'm on my game, it really don't even matter.

BT: I know you're not looking past him, but assuming all goes well, where are you hoping a victory over him will put you in the boxing landscape?

TC: Well, honestly, it ain't gonna really be able to set me up for nothing at lightweight because I plan on moving up in weight after this.

BT: Wow! Is that decision set in stone? Are you definitely moving up to 140 after this fight?

TC: Yeah!

BT: Is that a move you're making because it's hard to make 135 now or are you just looking to get the bigger fights?

TC: I fought at 140 before a few times. I felt comfortable at the weight. I'm just kind of growing out of this weight. You know, I've been at this weight since I was 17, so, you know, I'm 27 right now, so that's 10 years. I think it's about time that I move up.

BT: No doubt. Well let the fans know what's going to happen on November 29th.

TC: You gotta watch it! November 29th! You'll see how it plays out. I don't like to really talk about what I'ma do to a fighter. I like to just go out there and do it. I got much respect for Beltran. He's a real good fighter and I got nothing bad to say about him.



[ Follow Ben Thompson on Twitter @fighthype ]

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