Crawford becomes undisputed champion after TKO victory over Spence
Eminem introduced Terence “Bud” Crawford as the next undisputed welterweight champion prior to the Nebraska native’s fight with Errol Spence Jr., and the rapper’s proclamation proved correct.
Both Crawford and Spence entered the bout undefeated, with neither have been knocked to the canvas at any point in their storied careers.
That changed in the second round when Crawford dropped Spence with a straight right hand.
Spence picked up the pace in the third round, looking to take the fight to Crawford, but the Omahan remained sharp, picking his spots to counter and remain in control.
In the fourth round, Crawford cut Spence over the right eye. He then targeted the wound with a series of lefts.
Crawford found success with shots to both the head and the body, continuing to cause Spence to bleed throughout the fifght.
After the ring doctor examined Spence at the start of the fifth, he landed an attention-grabbing left-handed shot on Crawford.
Crawford didn’t slow down, however, coming right back at Spence with a strong sixth round. Crawford landed a strong right-handed jab, while referee Harvey Dock gave a final warning to Spence for low blows.
The Omaha resident knocked down Spence two more times in the seventh as he continued to distance himself on the scorecard.
The fight finally ended with a ninth-round TKO, with the now 40-0 Crawford handing Spence his first career loss. Crawford now holds all four welterweight belts.
Crawford has held title belts in three divisions. It is the second division that he has been an undisputed champion. Of his 40 wins, 31 have been by knockout.