Terence Crawford isn’t the type of fighter to tuck his tail and hide when the going gets tough. On countless occasions, the Omaha, Nebraska, native clenches his fists, bites down on his mouthpiece, and pushes himself to exhaustion whenever he’s put in an uncomfortable situation. Although he seldom needed to tap into his reserves, come July 29th, the 35-year-old welterweight belt holder figures to take his game to another level.

In front of what’s expected to be a jam-packed crowd, Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) will stand across the ring from current unified champion, Errol Spence Jr. After years of fulminating, the two immured themselves behind closed doors and hammered out a two-fight deal.

Since 2018, Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) had a hunch that a day would come when he would swap fists with the pound-for-pound star. In addition to daydreaming about their contest, Spence admits that he’s laid his head on his pillow at night and dreamt about hurling leather against Crawford's skull. In those dreams, Spence acknowledges that he always came out on top. Those succinct visions will have a chance to become a reality next month. Although he didn't say verbatim how he ultimately picks up the victory, Spence did reveal that the X’s and O’s are somewhat extraneous. With Crawford possessing an ironclad will, Spence knows good and well that he’ll have to do more than simply outbox the WBO titlist.

“It plays out with me just breaking him physically, mentally, shit, damn there spiritually,” said Spence to Seconds Out. “Me just breaking his will.”

Spence, a powerful southpaw out of Desoto, Texas, thoroughly enjoys inflicting career-altering punishment on his opponents. Against Kell Brook in 2017, Spence not only ripped away his IBF title but he also fractured the left orbital bone of the normally durable champion. In his latest trip to the ring, Spence issued a one-sided beating to Yordenis Ugas, stopping the former WBA champion dead in his tracks while also breaking his right orbital bone.

Spence's propensity for causing supreme facial damage is what he's banking on come July 29th. But while he fully intends on wrecking Crawford, Spence does appear to have a softer side. An undisputed victory and unbridled damage are essentially a formality in his mind. However, when it’s all said and done, Spence is hoping that Crawford won't have to spend too much time recovering in the medical tent.

“Hopefully I don’t break his face too bad.”