“Before 11,020 of his fellow cornhuskers at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday night, Terence Crawford did what all in attendance hoped for (and even more expected) when he stopped Dierry Jean in ten rounds. It was a performance exemplifying the “parse and dismantle” style Crawford has used to flawless effect. No, he does not explode from his corner, spurred into battle by any number of isms trusted to turn a stretch of canvas into an existential battlefield. Crawford does, however, invariably treat opponents according to their ability; which is to say, Jean, a competent but unremarkable fighter, stood no chance.”

Read Treading Water: Terence Crawford TKO10 Dierry Jean on The Cruelest Sport.

“It may be a criticism of Golovkin that Lemieux thought so little of the beating he endured that he would suffer it again for similar recompense. Or, perhaps it speaks well of the type of offers the Golovkin brain trust can now make in seeking opponents. Either way, Lemieux, Laval, Quebec, seemed less than discouraged by his slow destruction; a destruction that began with a first round in which his hair moved more than his fists. Golovkin refused to adopt a similar passivity, and while not yet attacking with complete disregard for return fire, used an array of thudding jabs to disarm his (supposedly) most dangerous opponent to date.”

Read The Most Dangerous Game: Gennady Golovkin TKO7 David Lemieux on The Cruelest Sport.

“When Gennady Golovkin faces David Lemieux at Madison Square Garden in New York City tomorrow night the impossible will unfold. Unfortunately for Lemieux, who is too limited to garner better than +800 odds in his favor, this promise of the impossible does not portend an upset. No, the impossible is not in the cards for Lemieux; indeed, his fate on Saturday night will make many a card superfluous. Rather, it is the occurrence of the fight itself that turns logic on its ear: for how could anyone imagine a scenario where the most avoided fighter in boxing headlines against a massive underdog, not just on HBO, but on pay-per-view?”

Read The Crucible: Gennady Golovkin-David Lemieux Preview on The Cruelest Sport.