Crawford Unifies Welterweight Division With Ninth-Spherical TKO in Dominant Efficiency Over Spence

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Terence Crawford knocked down Errol Spence Jr. thrice Saturday night time earlier than lastly ending the battle at 2:32 of the ninth spherical on a technical knockout to cement himself as one of many biggest welterweights in historical past.

The battle, the most-anticipated boxing match in a number of years, unified the division for the primary time within the four-belt period that started in 2004.

Crawford (40-0, 31 knockouts) already owned the WBO belt, and took the WBC, WBA and IBF titles from Spence (28-1). Crawford additionally ran his KO streak to 11 matches, the second-longest energetic stretch.

Crawford, 35, has received titles in tremendous light-weight and light-weight along with welterweight, capturing the latter after shifting up in 2018. The Omaha, Nebraska, fighter grew to become the primary male boxer to turn into the undisputed champion in two divisions.

A giant battle night time on the Strip nonetheless brings out the celebs, with recording artists Cardi B and Andre 3000 of Outkast, actor and Las Vegas resident Mark Walhberg, NBA star Damian Lillard and Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones at T-Cellular Enviornment. They have been among the many celebrities that additionally included former boxing champions resembling Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

Eminem launched Crawford and his music “Lose Your self” performed as he walked into the ring.

Spence was the aggressor early on, however Crawford despatched him to the ground with a proper hand with 20 seconds left within the second spherical. Then Crawford went after Spence, however time ran out earlier than he may end him off.

Crawford, a minus-154 favourite, in line with FanDuel Sportsbook, then took management of the battle, touchdown a number of main blows, usually on counters. However Crawford additionally picked his spots to go after Spence, his punching energy taking a heavy toll.

Within the seventh spherical, Crawford knocked down Spence twice — with a brief proper at 1:02 and with one other proper with only a second left.

The 33-year-old Spence who lives in DeSoto, Texas, received the IBF title in 2017, claimed the WBC championship in 2019 and took the WBA championship final 12 months.

Within the co-main occasion, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (25-2-1) of Mexico beat Chicago resident Giovanni Cabrera (21-1) by cut up choice in a WBC and WBA light-weight match. Judges Benoit Roussel (114-113) and Don Trella (115-112) scored the battle in favor of Cruz, and Glenn Feldman gave Cabrera the battle by a 114-113 rating. Cruz had a degree deducted due to a head butt.

Additionally, Alexandro Santiago (28-3-5) of Mexico received the vacant WBC bantamweight title with a 115-113, 116-112, 116-12 choice over Nonito Donaire (42-8), who lives in Las Vegas.

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