Photo credit to Joshua Garcia
Terence Crawford is presented with the Ring Magazine Belt as Undisputed Champion at 147 pounds.
By: Joshua Garcia
Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford now stands on top of the mountain that is the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet.
Naoya Inoue put on a show last week in Japan defeating Stephen Fulton to win the WBC and WBO junior featherweight titles, yet Crawford stood alone Saturday night. Crawford became the Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the World following a TKO victory over Errol Spence Jr.
All due respect to Inoue, the man they call ‘The Monster’, but Crawford, the “Omaha Nebraska Kid“ showed what a generational fighter looks like. Crawford’s impressive and dominant victory over the undefeated and top give ranked Spence has sent his career and reputation into yet another stratosphere.
Crawford doubters were laid to rest after nine beautiful rounds. He delivered a stellar performance as he countered, slipped punches and punished Spence all night with his stiff jab and powerful hooks.
Saturday night boxing fans witnessed not only a different Crawford than ever seen before, but an unusual version of his opponent. Never has Spence been pushed around to the degree of being bullied by the switch-hitting Crawford, taking a ton of damage to his face.
Spence, who never tasted the canvas in his illustrious career and catapulted to top 5 pound-for-pound lists everywhere, was sent to the ground three times by boxing’s newest “king” Crawford. Following a knockdown in the 2nd round, and two more in the 7th, many called for Spence to be counted out for his own health. However, Spence battled like a true warrior and fought for two more rounds before an eventual stoppage from referee Harvey Dock in the 9th round.
Following, a nearly flawless performance, the best of his career, Crawford stood in the middle of the ring with his mother and delivered four undisputed championship belts. He now stands as the only male fighter to ever become undisputed in two different weight classes, accomplishing the feat at 140 before moving up and capturing all four again, at 147 pounds.
Despite a dominant win for Crawford many pundits have already strongly suggested the rematch clause in the contract be invoked, with the only caveat being that it will move up to the 154-pound division, as both fighters have expressed no interest in staying at and struggling to make weight at 147.
Crawford was escorted out to the squared circle in front of a crowd of 19,990 at the T mobile arena on the Las Vegas Strip by rapper Eminem. Roars erupted at the sight of Marshall Mathers walking out of the tunnel. The night concluded with screams for Crawford after knocking out his boogieman.
