By Ian S Palmer
Former super middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Badou Jack of Sweden returns to the ring this Saturday, November 27th when he moves up to cruiserweight to take on Samuel Crossed of Rockville, Maryland. The 10-rounder from Dubai should be available in America on ESPN+ and it’s also available in some areas of the world on the iFL You Tube channel. Jack last fought in June when he stopped Dervin Colina in the fourth round while Crossed last saw action four weeks ago when he drew with Ronald Montes over six rounds.
The 38-year-old Jack fights out of Las Vegas and owns a record of 24-3-3 with 14 Ko’s. He’s a a former WBC Super Middleweight Titleholder who then won the WBA Light Heavyweight Title by stopping Nathan Cleverly in the fifth round in August, 2017. Jack possesses a good jab, decent and underrated power and is a good counterpuncher. He’s not a spectacular boxer, but is a very solid one.
His first defeat came at the hands of Derek Edwards via a first-round stoppage in February and he didn’t taste defeat again until January, 2019 when he lost a 12-round unanimous decision to Marcus Browne for the interim WBA, and the vacant WBC Silver Light-heavyweight Titles. He then dropped a controversial decision to Jean Pascal in his very next fight 11 months later. In fact, he’s won just three of his last seven fights with two defeats and two draws.
Jack fought to a majority draw with Adonis Stevenson in a shot at the WBC Light Heavyweight crown in May, 2018 and also drew with James DeGale over 12 rounds in January, 2017 in an IBF and WBC Super Middleweight Title tilt and fought to a 10-round draw with Marco Antonio Periban in September of 2013. His best wins have been over Cleverly, George Groves, Lucian Bute, Anthony Dirrell and Rogelio Medina.
Jack has as habit of dropping his hands and sometimes lunging in and he’ll need to keep these traits to a minimum against Crossed. Jack stands 6-feet-1-inch tall and has a 73-inch reach. He’s a former Olympian who has boxed 195 rounds since turning pro in 2009. He has a solid chin as well as plenty of heart and determination and carries around a knockout ratio of 46.7 per cent. However, he has enough power to hurt and drop anybody.
As for Crossed, he’s 34 years old and and owns a record of 11-1-1 with 7 Kos but hasn’t fought anybody of note as of yet. He’s taking a huge step up in class against Jack as just four of his previous opponents had winning records. He made his pro debut in 2015 and has boxed just 45 rounds since. He stands six feet tall but has an unlisted reach so gives up an inch in height to Jack.
Crossed suffered his lone defeat at the hands of Nick Kisner via a 10-round unanimous decision in February, 2020 in a shot at the vacant USA Maryland State Cruiserweight Title. His draw came in his last outing against Montes just a month ago. Crossed has pretty good power as he’s stopped seven of his 11 opponents and his current knockout ratio stands at 54 per cent.
Prediction…
Jack is still a world-class boxer but will need to be wary of Crossed’s power since he’s fighting at the 200 lb cruiserweight limit. This is basically an introductory fight to the division against a lower-level opponent even though he did weigh 188 lbs in an eight-round unanimous decision win over Blake McKernan last November. Jack needs to make sure he’s well prepared and doesn’t take Crossed lightly and I’m expecting him to be properly focused and leave the ring with a victory in Dubai.
