Terence Crawford retains WBO welterweight world title against David Avanesyan
Terence Crawford (39-0, 30KO) retained his WBO welterweight world title with a sixth-round knockout of challenger David Avanesyan (29-4-1, 17KO) in his home town of Omaha, Nebraska.
The American southpaw floored his Russian opponent with a left uppercut-right hook combination for his 10th successive knockout and 30th career KO.
It was Avanesyan who landed the first big shot of the night when a big right hook caught the champion in the first minute of the bout. Avanesyan then landed a big left hook whie "Bud" was on the ropes in the second stanza. Crawford is nown for starting slow and "Ava" took full advantage and really let his hands go with educated pressure in the opening four rounds.
Crawford began to rally back at the end of the fourth round, which the pair ended trading toe to toe. In the fifth, they continued to stand in the pocket where Crawford was able to pick his shots. In the sixth stanza, Crawford was busier, the left uppercut his punch of choice. Then, as Avanesyan fired a left jab, Crwaford slipped it and countered quickly with a swift left uppercut folloed by a huge right hook bang on the chin, which floored the Russian instantly. no one could have stayed standing after that right hook.
It was Crawford's sixth defence of the title he first claimed in 2018, and improves his record to 39-0.
No opponent has taken the 35-year-old the distance in more than six years.
"I started picking up the pace, planting my feet and I caught him with a hook," "Bud" said in his post-fight interview.
Crawford's main rival champion in the division is unbeaten compatriot Errol Spence Jr., with an anticipated fight between the pair in 2022 failing to materialise.
The former undisputed super-lightweight world champion was vague about his plans for future fights, including a potential meeting with Spence, adding: "This was a one-fight deal [with BLK Prime].
"Hopefully, we can go to the drawing board and these big fights come about in the near future."
On Saturday night, 147lbs rival Spence was involved in another car crash but the unified champion – who was in a serious car crash in 2019 – appeared to avoid major injury, posting an Instagram video from the scene.
After being told about Spence's crash in his post-fight news conference, Crawford said: "I wish him well. I hope he's alright – mentally, physically and emotionally.
"This is just a sport. We're all fighting for that number one spot, so it ain't personal. It's just business."
