TERENCE CRAWFORD will make the first defence of his WBO light-welterweight title against Dierry Jean on October 24 at the Century Link Center in his home city Omaha, Nebraska.
“I will be totally prepared for whatever Dierry Jean brings to the ring,” Crawford promised. “I love this big event as it is not often Omaha fans get to attend a prize fight live on HBO.”
“I just can’t wait! I want this. I’m hungry,” said Jean. “Crawford is the HBO darling who is supposed to be the next big thing but I will hurt him. Mark my words! I will be crowned world champion on October 24.”
“Terence is well on his way to topping his breakout year in 2014 where he won three career-best world championship victories en route to earning Fighter of the Year accolades,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank. “Now that Terence is a two-division world champion he will be bringing that momentum on October 24 when he returns home to the great fans of Omaha and to HBO, defending his newly-won junior welterweight world title against the Canadian cold front known as Dierry Jean, who has iced seven of his last ten opponents.”
“This is a BIG fight for Terence. Dierry Jean is an excellent fighter and Terence knows it,” said Cameron Dunkin, Crawford’s co-manager. “Terence is very focused and is training harder than ever anticipating a very competitive fight. Believe me, Terence will be ready!”
“Dierry Jean is recognized by most observers as one of the most talented boxers to ever come out of Canada,” said Camille Estephan, Jean’s manager. “His lone loss was in his first world title challenge and he doesn’t want to miss his chance for a world title this time. Dierry wants to fulfill his potential and I believe he’s learned from his world title shot experience in January 2014. It’s great that we have a chance at redemption and October 24 will be his moment. This fight has the makings of a great battle for the fans.”
“In 2014 lightweight champion Terence Crawford emerged as a superstar earning Fighter of the Year honors,” said Peter Nelson, vice president of programming, HBO Sports. “He kicked off 2015 with a huge statement by moving up to a new division and knocking out Thomas Dulorme to remain undefeated and become a world champ at 140 pounds. Now Terence will defend his new title against Canada’s Dierry Jean who has won his last four bouts and looks to upset the champion before a partisan hometown crowd in Omaha.”
