Terence “Bud” Crawford – Triple champ, two-time undisputed & boxing's new P4P King!
Photos from Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
Undefeated three-division champion Terence “Bud” Crawford just stamped his place in the history books with a ninth-round TKO over the previously unbeaten Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr. to become the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four-belt era in the SHOWTIME PPV main event Saturday night from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
In addition to adding the WBC, WBA and IBF titles to his WBO belt, Crawford became the first male fighter to become an undisputed champion in two weight classes, having previously won all four belts at 140-pounds. In a fight where Spence had already been down three times, Crawford’s ninth round onslaught of hooks forced referee Harvey Dock to wave off the action 2:32 in the frame.
Crawford and Spence’s Reactions
Crawford: “It means everything because of who I took the belts from. They talked bad about me. They said I wasn’t good enough and I couldn’t beat these welterweights. I just kept my head to the sky and kept praying to God that I would get the opportunity to show the world how great Terence Crawford is. Tonight, I believe I showed how great I am.
“We practice that. Normally in camp we do a flick and jab. But we knew that wasn’t going to work with Errol Spence because he’s durable, he’s strong. So we had to practice a strong firm jab. The jab hit him and stopped him in his tracks.
“Errol Spence is a tremendous talent and he’s got a great jab. We were worried about the jab coming in because that’s how he sets up all of his shots. Our main focus was the jab. You take away his best attribute. The rest is history.
“Like I said before, I only dreamed of being a world champion. I’m an overachiever. Nobody believed in me when I was coming up, but I made everybody a believer. I want to thank Spence and his team because without him none of this would have been possible.”
Spence: “He was just better tonight. He was using the jab. My timing was a little bit off. He was just the better man tonight.
“He was just throwing the hard jab. He was timing with his jab. His timing was just on point. I wasn’t surprised by his speed or his accuracy. It was everything I thought.
“We gotta do it again. I’m going to be a lot better. It’ll be a lot closer. It’ll probably be in December and the end of the year. I say we gotta do it again.”
Reactions
Spence tweeted: “Congrats to @terencecrawford good shit! …hopefully we can do it again before the end of the year.”
Here's some more reactions from Twitter:
Devin HaneyUndisputed lightweight champion
“I do wanna see this again at 154 I think Errol just too drained…“
Shakur StevensonTwo-weight world champion
“Is Bud the Micheal Jordan of boxing?“
Tim RicksonBBN Editor
“I picked Crawford to win right from the start and didn't waiver once, despite believing it would be a really close, technical chess match. That was one thing I got wrong! I never would have guessed there would be knockdowns as early as round two or for the fight to be won so decisively.
“I have always admired Crawford over Spence for his rise up from lightweight, winning world titles in three different divisions, but how can you not love this guy that is so skilled, respectful and then just called himself an 'overachiever'?!!
“A December rematch would be a fantastic fight to end the year with. Spence can use the data he collected to come back stronger with a renewed game plan, and he probably knows he fought the very best version of "Bud" last night, so will be better prepared for the next match.
“I've heard a few mentions of Spence's car crashes affecting him as a fighter, which is perfectly acceptable to say, but take nothing away because Crawford was simply brilliant last night! Legacy secured.”
Franchon Crews-Dezurn Former undisputed world super-middleweight champion
“I'm so happy two young black men made lives for themselves and set the bar high by daring to be great. So much love to @terencecrawford & @ErrolSpenceJr Both champions in my book.”
George ForemanHeavyweight legend
“Spence is learning “never box a boxer” you gotta fight them; don’t wait for an opening; just throw the punches.”
Anish ParekhBBN Writer
“That was incredible!
“These big Vegas nights are usually cagey affairs with the mutual respect of the fighters spilling out into the ring and giving judges enough ambiguity to interpret the fight however they like.
“Bud didn't allow that last night. After the first round he was sharp, accurate, spiteful, and beat Spence for every minute of every round that followed.
“In my prediction for the fight I said Spence's style would play into Crawford's hands and he will stop him late. Truth is, I rarely get them right and even though I was expecting a Crawford win, I couldn't do it with huge confidence or see it happen in the dominant manner that it transpired in. But I did have an instinct that Bud was special and that he would demonstrate that on the big stage last night.
“It was an incredible performance that will live long in the memory and will he kept fresh by repeated viewings to watch a master craftsman create his finest work.”
Ben DayFormer Southern Area lightweight champion
“Wow! I didn’t see the stoppage coming, wouldn’t want to make excuses for Spence as that’s not fair on Bud's best performance and the beating of the best fighter he’s faced to date, but do u think Spence’s car accident may have played a part?
“Regardless of that, amazing performance by Bud and making history being the first man to become undisputed in two weights.
“Being kicked out of five different schools for fighting and started boxing because he was scared, this is why Boxing is a beautiful sport, it doesn’t only change lives it saves them, dreams do come true, unbelievable performance and achievement from Terence Crawford!”
Showtime Boxing
“Undeniable. @TerenceCrawford is one of the best to ever lace up a pair of gloves. He is your first undisputed welterweight champion in the 4-belt era.”
Uros DjikanovicBoxing manager & advisor
“Everything was totally fair and the outcome was what I have anticipated. Both fighters boxed with same gloves, Everlast. Crawford was prepared better and he is a more talented fighter. In today's boxing where boxers are obsessed with “Mayweather’s complex” of being undefeated we don’t see much of fights like this one. It’s hard because different promoters work with different media companies. It’s always business first and I understand that, but, as a fan, I don’t see who wins I just like good fights.
“I respect fighters like Holyfield who fought with everyone even when they lost. I don’t lose respect for fighters when they lose. I don’t care that Kambosos lost both fights against Haney, I would still like to see the third fight. Problem in today's boxing is when fighters lose that perfect record they don’t get as much chances as undefeated fighters. Unless they attract Pay Per View.
“I would love to see a rematch of this fight even if I think Crawford would win 9 out of 10 times. He is just better, he is more calm, relaxed and he is a perfect finisher. He waits for openings, doesn’t rush anything and he lands punches with precision. One of the best southpaws of all-time, no doubt.
“Spence is also a great fighter and he should not feel ashamed of losing to a fighter like Crawford. They gave fans what they wanted. I wish all the best to both fighters. I would love to see the rematch of this fight.”
Sergio MichelMusician & boxing superfan
“Errol Spence, sadly did not recover mentally or physically from his car accident. Another tale of an American fighter with great potential that let partying or bad social behavior in general ruin his career. The irony of Adrien Broner in his locker room was not lost.
“All that said however, the throttling Crawford delivered was not expected. Spence simply is not the same fighter he was before his car crash.”
Daniel SmithBBN Writer
“A spectacular display from Crawford last night; props to him and his team.
“I had concerns that Spence would not be one hundred percent; mainly due to the accident and inactivity. Therefore, I would love to see a rematch in December but would not be surprised if Bud takes the win again, via points this time.”
Jamie SpeightThree-time Southern Area champion
“Last night we witnesses the mist technical, skilful and domineering performance in a boxing ring since Floyd Mayweather beat Canelo Alvarez.
“Crawford proved why he is No.1 at 147lbs and, for me, pound for pound No.1.
“He out thought, out gunned and out boxed a world class operator in Errol Spence.
“Brilliant night of boxing and i hate to say it, but I told you so.”
Arijan GorickiFeatherweight prospect
“It was exactly like my prediction was. I don't see the point for the rematch. I'd rather watch Crawford defending belts against Jaron Boots Ennis or move up to face Tim Tszyu.
“Crawford is P4P No.1 with Naoya Inoue right behind him. No one even close to them.”
Aqib Tahlat BBN Writer
“I had this a 50/50 fight going in, not even close to it.
“In this fight Crawford showed his class un probably one the most one sided unification fights in history.
“Bud Crawford showed different angles, his counter punching ability and power behind his jab really broke down the pressure fighter in Errol Spence.
“Alongside that we know Crawford is the best switch hitter the sport has seen however we didn’t even need to see it as he never switched stances, this shows the levels and the talent this fighter has.
“Crawford for me after that performance is P4P No.1 as he’s now unified two weight classes, for that reason he’s the best fighter since Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“I would love him to fight Jaron Boots Ennis and I would like to see Spence move up to 154 pounds.”
Ben WinwardBBN Writer
“A truly spectacular performance from Terence Crawford. I don’t think anyone could have foreseen such a dominant display, as Spence really didn’t have any answers for what will long be remembered as one of the finest performances in a boxing ring and on the grandest of stages. It was going to take a performance of the highest calibre for the masses to dislodge Naoya Inoue in their ranking for P4P #1, but Crawfords greatness was such that he did just that.
“It also was such that it really takes the sting out of the appetite for a rematch. No doubt Spence will review the fight and together with Derrick James come up with one or two tactical alterations to have greater success, but no one can watch that eight and a half rounds and predict a different result If the pair meet again.
“Crawford was sharper, faster, his punches had far greater effect and, most importantly, he had total control of the rhythm of the fight. Everything Spence did, who it must be said showed tremendous heart, Crawford appeared one step ahead. ‘The Truth’s’ work looked forced and lacking the meticulous thought we are so used to associating him with, even if he kept trying until the referee saved him from himself. Crawford’s work however was perfectly poised, establishing dominance with a ramrod right jab, also countering at will and landing the breadth of his crafty repertoire within the work of Spence.
“He somehow looked to have solved the puzzle 28 others had tried and failed to do so before him within just two rounds. I just can’t see how Spence can overturn all of these elements in a second attempt, but his pride will likely be such that he’ll give it a go.”
Stats
Crawford led 79-70 on all three cards at the time of the stoppage and dominated the CompuBox stats with an 185 to 96 advantage in punches landed and an astounding 50% connect rate.
Article sponsored by HÖRFA