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Terence Crawford’s title challenge of Jeff Horn rescheduled for June 9 in Las Vegas

Terence Crawford shows off his belt collection. Photo by Mikey Williams / Top Rank
Fighters Network
23
Mar

Terence Crawford has a new date for his welterweight debut.

He was set to fight Jeff Horn for the Australian’s 147-pound belt on April 14 in Las Vegas, but a right hand injury to the Omaha native scrapped the fight. Now, Crawford and Horn will meet on June 9 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a source told THE RING. ESPN first reported the news.

The ESPN fight will face stiff competition on the new date. Showtime will televise the anticipated rematch between Leo Santa Cruz and Abner Mares on the same night from Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Crawford (32-0, 23 knockouts) took a break from his training camp in Omaha, Nebraska, while his hand recovers from the minor injury. THE RING’s No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter became undisputed junior welterweight champion with a third-round knockout of Julius Indongo in August, but now he’s preparing to take over another weight class, one with far stiffer competition.



Horn (18-0-1, 12 KOs) isn’t in Crawford’s class from a talent standpoint, but he’s tough, rugged and figures to weigh far more on fight night.

The 30-year-old school teacher used his strength and size to outmuscle Manny Pacquiao en route to a controversial decision victory in July, and that’s the only tactic Horn can hope to employ against Crawford.

Crawford, 30, is one of the sport’s elite fighters, with a blend of speed, power and boxing acumen few, if any, other athletes can boast. But now Crawford has to prove that his talent is great enough to stretch across another weight class.

Mike Coppinger is the Senior Writer for RingTV.com. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeCoppinger

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