Terence Crawford says Shawn Porter was a friend 'when we signed that contract'

TERENCE CRAWFORD stated that Shawn Porter's friendship was put on hold when they signed to fight - and that he is now 'trying his best to knock his head off'.

Over the weekend, Crawford and his 34-year-old welterweight counterpart meet in Las Vegas. Crawford will defend his WBO title as well as his unbeaten record.

The pair were known for their mutual respect and friendship.

Crawford stated to Sky Sports that all of this has been forgotten. "It was gone at the time we signed the contract."

"I don’t have to talk down to him or disrespect him. We both know.

"There are no friends within the ring. The guy in front of you is trying to knock off your head. "I'm trying to knock him off his head."

Porter, a former champion twice, claimed that previous attempts to fight were rebuffed.

Crawford replied, "No, that's false." It is true that I was not offered the fight when they asked.

"Then, when Top Rank offered them the fight they declined because they wanted more money.

"Then Shawn and I spoke on the phone, and he asked what my thoughts were about a possible fight.

"I told him I would reconsider it if I could not get the Manny Pacquiao fight." We didn't get Pacquiao's fight, but I did.

Crawford has won titles in three divisions and has defeated Amir Khan (34), and Kell Brook (35).

He said that only time would tell if Porter will be his strongest rival, as he has only suffered three career losses.

Crawford stated, "We'll have the opportunity to see if it is the most difficult fight of my career."

"I've had to confront a lot people who believed the last couple of fights would prove the hardest. We don't know what we are doing until we get in the ring.

"I don’t listen much, but I pay attention because it means that I won’t miss anything.

"I believe that I am able to show a lot more things than I did at the time because I didn’t have to.

"There are some skills that I haven’t had to show. Porter might be able to bring them out. There's more to come. I am getting better.

Shawn is Shawn, I expect him to be Shawn. He is a gifted man. He loves to box, bang, and brawl.

"We are ready for anything."