CHI Health Center, in Omaha, Nebraska
By Minnie Larry
Pre-fight
The embittered matchup between these two welterweights has had the world of boxing salivating at the bits to see who walks away with the first “L” of their careers. With contentious verbal sparring outside of the ring, tonight’s show may go down in history as one of the most watched matchups in ESPN’s history.
The back and forth name calling surpassed all laws of decorum when Jose Benevidez called Terence “Bud” Crawford a B*@!ch, and Crawford paying his rival back in kind, demeaning the 26 year-old’s mother.
The mashup almost came to a head, when tempers ran high during Friday’s weigh-in, where Benivedez shoved Crawford, resulting in Crawford throwing a sharp right hook; missing Benavidez by mere inches.
The Fight
Terence “Bud” Crawford ( 34-0, 25 KO’s) returned home for his first WBO title defense, against Jose Benavidez Jr., ( 27-1,18 KO’s), in front of 13,323 International fans, inside the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska on Saturday night. Crawford sealed his 5th consecutive KO victory with an overwhelming TKO win. Within seconds of the final bell, Crawford sent Benavidez into a spinning knockdown after landing a short uppercut to the head. Seconds later, Crawford’s boxing generalship was inescapable as he finished Junior off with a right- left combo, causing the referee to call an end to the bout.
Round 2: Ended in a flurry of back and forth action as both fighters landed brutal shots upstairs.
Round 3: Crawford stepped in behind the jab, laser- focused on Benavidez middle. Closed the round strong.
Round 4: Crawford tries recapturing the energy of round 3, but once he comes out of the jab, is met head on with a straight right. Later in the round, Crawford eats a low right to the body but remains upright.
Round 6: Most decisive round for Crawford as he attacks Benavidez middle mercilessly.
Round 7: Benavidez folds inward, after digesting several attacks to his middle. Crawford pulling farther ahead in points, against a tiring Benavidez Jr. Signs of Benavidez’s leg injury becoming apparent as he tries switching back and forth to maintain balance, as well as some slack is seen while he tries moving away from shots.
Round 9: Crawford continues stepping out of reach, leaving Benavidez scrambling to make a connection. The wear and tear of the fight becoming visibly clear as Benavidez punches begin limping.
Round 10: Crawford pins Benavidez in the corner lets off combos to the middle with no answer from Benavidez. Benavidez tries lulling Crawford into a brawl but is unsuccessful. Towards the end of the round, Crawford lands a sweeping left hand, catching Jr. Unawares. Round ends with solid exchanges from both.
Round 12: Crawford ends the match with a short uppercut, sending Junior to the mat, Benavidez answers the call but seconds later a right- left combination causes the referee to step in and call an end to the match.
Undercard
2016 Olympic medalist, Shakur Stevenson (9-0, 5KO’s) gains his 9th win, stopping Viorel Simon (21-3, 9KO’s) in the first round. Simon would get knocked down 3 times during his US debut. Simon would be sent flailing to the mat, after a Stevenson right hook, entangled his limbs in the ropes- then feathered him to the mat. Stevenson advances his unbeaten record. Time 3:00
