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Southpaw Super Lightweight Tyrone Crawley Jr. Interview: Like Father, Like Son

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

In a Real Combat Media international interview exclusive, unbeaten southpaw super lightweight prospect Tyrone Crawley Jr., son of former lightweight contender Tyrone Crawley, talked about his latest ring in the ring and sudden rise in the 140 pound division.

The interview took place ringside on Saturday evening, July 9, 2016, at Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, New Jersey, right after Crawley’s six round decision win over tough 4-2 Alexander Charneco of Puerto Rico in the walkout bout, the final bout of the evening on the ESPN Premier Boxing champions and King’s Promotions card. Crawley’s untelevised bout followed the televised portion of the event.

Crawley, 6-0, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the son of former number one lightweight contender, 22-2 southpaw lightweight Tyrone ‘Butterfly’ Crawley of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who fought Livingston Bramble for the World Boxing Association World Lightweight title in Reno, Nevada, in February 1986, and got stopped in the thirteenth round.

Robert Brizel: “Tyrone, you were expecting maybe a quick fight tonight. You had him (Alexander Charneco of Puerto Rico) down in the first round. Did you expect this guy would survive the six round distance?”

Tyrone Crawley Jr.: “I mean, I wanted to stop him, but I did not want to (over) exert myself in a six round fight. Puerto Rican fighters are normally tough. So, I did not want to overdo it.”

Robert Brizel: “Rather than (you) fighting a technical fight, this fight was probably the ‘Fight of the Night’. Your bout with Charneco emerged like a George Foreman versus Ron Lyle offensive slugfest. You would throw a power shot bomb, and then Charneco would throw a counter power shot. He was not hitting you, he was missing by and large. Did that (style of fight by an opponent) add an element of danger that you liked?”

Tyrone Crawley Jr.: “Yeah! It was a good fight! I wanted to stop him, so I had to take a risk. It was the fight I have taken the most risks in (so far).”

Robert Brizel: “Tyrone, are you surprised this guy’s chin (Charneco) held up so well? In the first round, I thought he was going to go (get knocked out) then.”

Tyrone Crawley Jr.: “I thought the referee was going to stop the bout. In the first round, I hit him with a straight right and then an uppercut, and he went down. I thought the ref was gonna stop it in the second and third rounds, as I saw him (the referee) jumping in, as Charneco was taking a lot of punches.”

Robert Brizel: “Did you think at that point Charneco might be done? He was banging his heart a lot (showing he was tough, and would never give up) like wanted to go on.”

Tyrone Crawley Jr: “Puerto Rican fights are tough. I should have stopped him, he was game tonight, he gave me a good fight, but the better man won tonight! Thank G-d.”

Robert Brizel: Three of the rounds in your bout with Charneco were 10-8 rounds. That means two of the rounds were 10-8 rounds (in your favor) when he was not down, which means you gave him a pretty bad beating at one point. Where was most of the offense landing?”

Tyrone Crawley Jr.: “Jab. I was working off my jab, setting up punches, and he walking right into it. A lot of them my jabs) I was not following through, because I was trying to set him up. I should have stopped him. These Puerto Rican fights come to fight.”

Robert Brizel: “Three 10-8 rounds is really very good! Are you ready to step it up to an eight rounder. How do you feel at this point?”

Tyrone Crawley: “One more six rounder, and then I will do an eight rounder.”

Robert Brizel: “Your home state is Pennsylvania. How’s your dad? (Former lightweight contender Tyrone ‘Butterfly’ Crawley). Is he very proud of you?”

Tyrone Crawley Jr.: “Yeah, my dad’s very proud of me. I’m glad I made him proud.”

Robert Brizel: “Your dad, Tyrone Crawley Sr., had a pretty going run and a world title shot in the lightweight ranks. Would you like to do an eight rounder, maybe an eight round bout for a vacant Pennsylvania state title?”

Tyrone Crawley Sr.: “Yeah, definitely one more six rounder, and I could do that!”

Robert Brizel: “King’s Promotions CEO Marshall Kauffman has done cards at the Sand Events Center in Bethlehem, and at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania. You have not fought in these places yet. Would you like to fight on an ESPN card there? Maybe get a regional belt fight in?”

Tyrone Crawley: “No, I haven’t fought in these places yet. Yeah, I would like to fight there. Most definitely!”

Robert Brizel: “Where’s your dad?” (Tyrone Crawley Sr.)

Tyrone Crawley: “Probably walking somewhere around the ring. There he goes!”

Robert Brizel: “There’s your mom. Mrs. Crawley, are you proud of your son Tyrone Jr. and his athletic accomplishments?”

Mrs. Crawley: “Yes, I am!”

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