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Writer's pictureTerrel Emerson

Crawford cashes in with TKO-win in fourth defense

Top Rank founder Bob Arum continues to call Terence “Bud” Crawford a “once in a generation” boxer.


Crawford retained his WBO Welterweight World Title after a TKO-finish of former IBF Welterweight Champion and No. 1 welterweight in Great Britain Kell Brook Saturday, Nov. 14.


It was the fourth title defense for Crawford as he improved to 37-0 with 28 knockouts.


In fact, he has produced all knockouts since moving up to 147 pounds.


After essentially logging data for the first two rounds in an orthodox stance, Crawford entered the third round as a southpaw.


From there, he started to double up and even triple up on his punches, finding much more success.


In the fourth round, a stiff jab stunned Brook, sending him into the ropes, before he was given a standing eight count by referee Tony Weeks.


Even with Brook being the taller man at 5’9, Crawford held the reach advantage at 74-to-69 despite being an inch shorter.


Immediately following the standing eight count, Crawford finished Brook off with left and right hands.


Coming into the fight, Bud was facing the longest layoff of his career at 11 months while Brook (39-3, 27 KOs) had last fought in February.


It was the first loss for Brook since May of 2017.


Brook’s three losses have come at the hands of Crawford, current WBC and IBF Welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and current IBF Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.


Many hope Spence is the next matchup for Crawford, pending the outcome of his title fight against Danny Garcia on Dec. 5 in Texas.


It has been said that Crawford is now in search of legacy fights, citing a missed opportunity with current WBA Super Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.


Despite it being his Las Vegas debut, Brook admitted coming into the fight he was giving it “one last go.”


It was unclear what’s next for him after going 3-3 in his last six fights.


In the bout before, WBA Super Flyweight champion Joshua Franco retained his title against Andrew Moloney as a result of a no decision.


Franco’s right eye was swollen shut by the end of the two rounds of action.


Replay referee Robert Byrd claimed to have seen two headbutts during the review.


Due to the uncertainty of the result, there was a 30 minute delay to deliberate.


Following the stoppage, the result remained the same: A no-contest due to a headbutt and the fight not going at least four rounds.


It was a rematch of their June title fight, where Franco won by unanimous decision.


A decision on if and when a third bout could be scheduled is unknown at this time.


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