Terence Crawford fight vs ‘Mean Machine’ Egidijus Kavaliauskas: UK time, ringwalks, stream, undercard

Everything you need to know ahead of Crawford’s latest title defence

Sunday 15 December 2019 02:00 GMT

Terence Crawford will defend his WBO welterweight title when he fights Egidijus Kavaliauskas this weekend.

Crawford (35-0, 26 KOs) is regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound talents in the sport and blasted through Amir Khan in six rounds last time out.

He will take on mandatory challenger Kavaliauskas (21-0-1, 17 KOs) at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, on a thrilling fight card that also features Michael Conlan’s Olympic rematch with Vladimir Nikitin.

Kavaliauskas drew his last fight – with Josh Kelly’s most recent opponent, Ray Robinson – but is a two-time Olympian for Lithuania and previously knocked out the dangerous David Avanesyan.

Here’s everything you need to know.

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

Show all 16

1/16February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

Who is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world?

The ranking of The Independent's 10 best male boxers on the planet. Take a look through to see who comes out on top.

Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Anthony Joshua

Joshua recaptured his world heavyweight titles in dominant fashion, but in a new manner for the Briton: boxing beautifully off the back foot. He is now back in the mix, even if he is just behind Wilder and Fury, to be considered the best heavyweight in the world. All three are just on the outside of our list though until they fight each other

AP

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Deontay Wilder

Nobody can deny he has a claim as the most powerful puncher pound-for-pound, but despite wiping out Luis Ortiz, the Bronze Bomber needs to beat Tyson Fury clearly to justify a place inside the top 10 here

EPA

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

In the mix: Tyson Fury

Like Joshua and Wilder before, with a legitimate case to be the No 1 heavyweight in the world, Fury is just on the outside of our top 10 - if he manages to comprehensively beat Wilder - staying away from that big right hand for the full 12 rounds - he will be the first of the trio to leap back inside the top 10

Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Josh Taylor (16-0)

Josh Taylor's win over Regis Prograis to win the WBSS at 140 pounds was a massive statement - he'll need to become the undisputed light welterweight champion by beating Jose Ramirez to make his place inside the top 10 indisputable

Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

On the rise: Miguel Berchelt (37-1)

Miguel Berchelt smashed Jose Sosa to pieces inside four rounds to defend his WBC super featherweight title - now 37-1 and undefeated since 2014 with 16 consecutive wins and six straight defences

AFP via Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

10. Juan Francisco Estrada (39-3-0)

The two-weight world champion grabbed the lineal super flyweight title against Sor Rungvisai to snatch his pound-for-pound status and the WBC gold.

Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

9. Mikey Garcia (39-1-0)

Despite coming up short against Errol Spence in their welterweight bout, Garcia is still a modern great as a four-weight world champion.

Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

8. Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1)

Despite suffering the first loss of his career against Canelo Alvarez, Golovkin's stellar career keeps him in our rankings. The boxing legend is now a two-time world champion.

Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

7. Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2)

The Filipino looked sensational to outpoint Keith Thurman, flooring the American and rolling back the years at 40 years old to confirm himself as the No 3 welterweight in the world at worst. Considering the illustrious names on his resume, a place inside the top 10 pound-for-pound list and a world class win this year confirms his place here.

AP

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

6. Errol Spence (26-0-0)

Spence beat Shawn Porter to unify the welterweight division as he goes in search of more belts. Danny Garcia looks set to be next.

Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

5. Oleksandr Usyk (17-0-0)

The undisputed, undefeated, unified cruiserweight world champion has successfully moved up in weight, beating Chazz Witherspoon on his heavyweight debut.

Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

4. Naoya Inoue (19-0-0)

The man nicknamed the 'monster' beat Nonito Donaire to win the World Boxing Super Series and move to 19-0 after a hard fought battle.

Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

3. Terence Crawford (35-0-0)

Another three-weight world champion, Crawford enters our top three and reaffirmed his place as one of the sport's greats after a knockout win against Amir Khan.

Getty Images

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

2. Canelo Alvarez (53-1-2)

One loss and a whole heap of controversy but Canelo's record is one to be celebrated, a now four-weight world champion and still not even 30 years of age. The biggest star in the sport and an impressive KO win of Sergey Kovalev cements his standing, arguably has a claim to the throne, but he just misses out here.

USA TODAY Sports

February top 10 pound-for-pound boxers in the world

1. Vasyl Lomachenko (14-1-0)

There can only be one. The king of the amateur game has stepped up to become the king of the professionals. Just 15 fights into his career and despite one career defeat, the current unified lightweight world champion sets records for days. Loma won a world title in his third fight, became a two-weight champion in his seventh, and a three-weight champion in his twelfth fight. The king. Less magic against a brave Luke Campbell, but more brutality, slashing body shots and exquisite balance and movement. Who's next? Commey, Lopez, Davis?

Getty Images

What time is the fight?

The fight takes place on Saturday 14 December.

The ring walks are expected to take place at 23:30 ET, which is 4:30 GMT. So get some coffee in.

Where is the fight?

The fight is at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City. It’s the fourth time Crawford has boxed at the venue. Kavaliauskas has never fought there before.

How can I watch and stream the fight?

The fight will be shown live on ESPN in the United States.

No broadcaster in the United Kingdom has picked the fight up. However, you can legally stream it for $14.99 (£11.25) using Fite.TV.

What are the odds?

Crawford to win: 1/20
Kavaliauskas to win: 10/1
Draw: 25/1

What have they been saying?

Crawford: “Kavaliauskas is a two-time Olympian and I can’t take him lightly. He’s got everything to gain and nothing to lose and that makes him dangerous. I never overlook any opponent, and this will be no exception. I’ll be ready for anything and everything he brings on December 14 when I return to my second home, Madison Square Garden.”

Kavaliauskas: “I have prepared my whole boxing career for a fight of this magnitude. Crawford is an excellent fighter, but I fear no man. Nobody has seen the best of the ‘Mean Machine’ yet. I am going to shock a lot of people on December 14, but it won’t be a surprise to me. I earned this title shot. It is my time.”

Who is on the undercard?

Richard Comney vs Teofimo Lopez (IBF lightweight title)
Michael Conlan vs Vladimir Nikitin (featherweight)
George Kambosos Jr vs Mickey Bey (lightweight)
Josh Vargas vs Noel Murphy (super lightweight)
Edgar Berlanga vs Cesar Nunez (super middleweight)
Julian Rodriguez vs Manuel Mendez (super lightweight)

What’s our prediction?

Crawford to win via stoppage in the first six rounds.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies