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A32 sports
Diasabra 14 November 2020

Crawford returns to ring in title defense against Brook

(AP) — Terence Crawford make since they are with dif-
has long held a spot in ferent promoters and would
the mythical pound-for- likely have to wait until more
pound ratings that boxing fans are let in to happen.
people like to argue about Crawford is a huge favorite in
when all the fights are Las Vegas sports books to beat
done for the day. Brook, who is coming down
from his recent weight of 154
What Crawford is still wait- pounds to challenge Craw-
ing on is the one signature ford. Brook (39-2, 27 knock-
fight that will put an end to outs) is a former 147-pound
all those arguments. champion whose only losses
Crawford won't get that Sat- are to Spence and middle-
urday night when he defends weight titlist Gennadiy Go-
his piece of the welterweight lovkin.
title against England's Kell ``I think Terence knows I'm
Brooks. But he figures to get not an easy fight,'' Brook said.
a stiff challenge — along with ``I want him to bring the
a measuring stick of the state best out of me. I'm pushing
of his many talents — when myself to perform the best I
he takes on the former cham- can.''
pion in a fight that is both Brook, who fought at 160
risky and needed for Craw- pounds when he was stopped
ford. in the fifth round by Go-
``I've always felt that I'm No. lovkin in 2016, said he started
1 pound-for-pound in the losing weight early for this
world,'' Crawford said this fight so he wouldn't have to
week. ``This is what I do.'' starve himself late. But there
Crawford returns to the ring are questions not only about
for the first time in nearly a him coming down in weight
year in a scheduled 12-round could end up defining his and Kell Brook wins, maybe braska, has made it difficult but also the wear and tear he's
fight from the Top Rank bub- career. Promoter Bob Arum I'll make Kell Brook with for him to become a breakout had in his years in the ring.
ble at the MGM Grand hotel. says that could come next Manny,'' Arum said. star. Meanwhile, one of the At the age of 34 it could be his
The fight will be televised on spring with a possible fight Crawford, who has never other fighters who can claim final hurrah if he can't come
ESPN, with the card starting against Manny Pacquiao in been beaten in 36 fights, has pound-for-pound status, Er- up with the performance of a
at 10 p.m. Qatar, something Arum said had more success inside the rol Spence Jr., holds other lifetime against Crawford.
For Crawford it's both a he has been pursuing even ring than he has in creat- pieces of the 147-pound title ``I'm in the best condition of
chance to get back in the ring though he doesn't promote ing a buzz outside of it. His and is scheduled to defend his my life, and I'm ready to be-
again and to make a state- Pacquiao. skills are excellent, and he has belts Dec. 5 against Danny come a two-time champion,''
ment. At the age of 33 he "I'm optimistic that if Terence power, but his subdued per- Garcia in Texas. A bout be- Brook said. ``I'm like fine
still is in his prime but he has wins, we can put the fight on sonality and the fact he lives tween the two unbeaten title wine. I'm getting better as I
yet to fight the big bout that and if Terrence doesn't win and trains in Omaha, Ne- holders could be difficult to get older. I'm ready.''

Extra hurdles not keeping Kendricks from improving for Vikes

that versatile and that athlet- him," coach Mike Zimmer Having Eric Wilson thrive as
ic, it's special. It's something said. "Talking to people after Barr's replacement has cer-
I see every day in practice ev- games, they say how much tainly helped, but this is no-
ery day." they had to pay attention where near the same group
Cousins offered this praise to where he was at. I don't that has ranked among the
after the Vikings turned know if it's a specific thing league leaders for most of his
around their season with a that they're not specifically career.
victory at Green Bay on Nov. throwing at Kendricks, but
1. Kendricks was all over the when he's in position and in "The people who have been
field in that game as usual, good coverage and where he's on the squad and on the de-
with his highlight coming supposed to be, these quar- fense, we've all had to step
in the third quarter when a terbacks aren't going to throw up," Kendricks said. "Guys
wrinkle in the pass coverage it in coverage very often." like Danielle and Antho-
had him matched up with Kendricks is third in the NFL ny, you can't replace those
Adams. He matched the star with 84 total tackles. He has guys, but you can have other
wide receiver stride for stride three passes defensed. With people step up in their own
and stuck his arm out at just linebacker Anthony Barr way. Everyone is embracing
(AP) — Two friends of gest fans, a Vikings teammate the right second to deflect and defensive end Danielle their job. It's not going to
Eric Kendricks — fellow on the other side of the ball. the ball for an incompletion Hunter missing, Kendricks be easy, but everyone has to
standouts on the Minne- "When my boys, Cooper and at the 15-yard line. has been as vital as ever for do better." Kendricks, who
sota Vikings' defense — Turner, are old enough, I'm Last week against Detroit, this young Vikings defense. has missed only six games
are done for the season going to get them Eric Ken- with the Vikings again trying Zimmer has tried not to sad- in six seasons since being
with injuries. The sixth- dricks jerseys because he's to maintain a lead in the third dle him with additional re- drafted in the second round
year linebacker has a host the player I want my kids to quarter, Kendricks stayed sponsibility, but there's been out of UCLA, sets quite the
of under-25 players be- wear the jersey of," quarter- in step with tight end T.J. no hiding his outsized role. example. Co-defensive co-
hind him in the secondary. back Kirk Cousins said. "I Hockenson during a double "He's one of those guys who's ordinator and linebackers
just think he's as good of a move in the back of the end better when he can just go coach Adam Zimmer said he
The extra hurdles haven't linebacker as there is in the zone that allowed him to dart and play football, I think, but believes Kendricks is playing
kept Kendricks from again league, the way he can cover in front of the pass and pre- he anticipates things so well, even better than last year.
performing at the All-Pro a Davante Adams down the vent a touchdown with an in- and that allows him to play "I think he's playing the best
level he established last sea- middle of the field and also terception. fast and make plays," Zim- 'Mike' linebacker in the NFL
son. Just ask one of his big- take on a pulling guard. To be "I do know teams account for mer said. right now," Zimmer said.