It was an absolute clinic from three-division champion Crawford, also previously undisputed at light-welterweight, dropping a stunned Spence to the canvas for the first time in his professional career at the end of round two and twice more in the seventh before a one-sided beatdown was finally halted by the referee in round nine.
Spence came out on fire, turning the first part of the round into a brawl. He didn’t get much accomplished, though. And it was Crawford who landed the quicker, cleaner shots after the first minute. Crawford looks sharper right now.
Wearing shorts and white shocks, his answers are considered, but brief. Usually a fighter during fight week is drained from all the promotion and dieting and can range from angsty to combative, depending on the personality.
Not only can Terence Crawford call himself undisputed for a second time and in another weight class, but he is now approaching all-time status with a brutal exhibition of power and poise that has sent shockwaves through the boxing world.
Davis, who is typically a slow starter, didn’t land many clean punches during the first three rounds as Garcia (16-1, 10 KOs) dictated the pace with his southpaw jab. Davis finally found his rhythm in Round 4.
Round 9: Crawford catches Kavaliauskas with several hooks and “Mean Machine” is down. The challenger is frustrated but gets up off the canvas. Crawford smothers him and drops him again. The ref waves it off and this one is over. Crawford retains his WBO strap.
Round 8: Cabrera with three good jabs. A lot of ‘em hit glove, but plenty are finding the target. Cruz with a couple lefts. Cabrera now backs Cruz into the corner and is pot-shotting away. Cruz looks to be trying to bait Cabrera in, but no dice, just outside punching. Good overhand right. There’s another headbutt from Cruz and the ref takes a point. Cruz landing well, but Cabrera is eating all of them with seemingly little effect. He’s eaten so damn many power punches, and aside from slowing down, he’s still looking like he did before. It may not be affecting Cabrera, but I think Cruz just stole the round.
“I only dreamed of being a world champion. I’m an over-achiever. Nobody believed in me when I was coming up,” Crawford said, and he also thanked Spence and his team for taking the fight and giving him this opportunity.
“Terence Crawford is a cultural icon and an American boxing superstar, and his fans in Omaha are showing just how big of a star he is,” said Sam Katkovski, a representative for BLK Prime, via Big Fight Weekend. “This fight will have an amazing atmosphere and show the world how much combat-sports fans enjoy seeing Terence Crawford in the ring.”
This welterweight contest was billed as a battle between two evenly-matched opponents but Crawford completely schooled Spence to add the WBC, WBA and IBF titles to his WBO belt and put himself firmly in contention to be called the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet.
Round 12: Miller connects with a flurry, and Ruiz responds with big shots. They’re gonna slug it out here. Miller closing with a flurry again. Amazing to see these two go the distance. Miller 115, Ruiz 113.
After the bout Crawford, who became the undisputed light-welterweight champion in 2017, let his feelings pour out. “I’ve got so many emotions I could cry now,” he said. “Nobody believed in me when I was coming up, I made them believers.”
Crawford struck early with a shocking knockdown in the second round off a beautiful counter jab that stunned Spence. “Bud” remained in control over the course of the next five rounds with incredible accuracy and consistent pop behind his shots.
Round 4: Madrimov with a pair of rights, Crawford thuds in a body shot to the liver side. Lead right from Madrimov lands aa the same time as a Crawford uppercut. Madrimov finding a home for his right this round.
Calloway (5-2,5 KOs) started a lot more agile than his weigh-in weight of 387 lbs and used his jab and size to push Milton back. Calloway was also keeping his guard up and avoiding power shots. It made for a tactical affair, as Milton’s offense only came when he landed combinations. It doubled as a boring one as Calloway carrying his size was not on the same level of conditioning, the downside of having an over 130 lb. weight advantage.
Gravely hurt Birchak badly with blows on the ground in the first round. Referee Mark Smith didn’t think it was enough, though, and allowed Birchak to fight on. In the second round, Gravely left no doubt.
Levy used every kick imaginable, landing damaging blows to the head, torso and legs, and had multiple takedowns into top control position, yet was in a fight to the end against the resilient Valdez. The 31-year-old Israeli, who trains in Las Vegas, has won his last two fights after dropping his UFC debut. The judges scored 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.
Round 6: Feints galore coming from Madrimov right now. Madrimov leads with his jab and walks Crawford to the ropes. terrence crawford last fight answers with a flurry. He sneaks a left hand past Madrimov’s guard. Right hand from Madrimov, Crawford throws out a combination. There appears to be a mouse developing under Crawford’s right eye. Madrimov whiffs on a big overhand. Madrimov lunges into an uppercut, Crawford ties up. Nasty body work by Crawford to close out the round. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Madrimov. (57-57 overall.)
