On Sunday (AEDT) in Las Vegas, Terence Crawford also took his time, but exploded in the fourth round against Kell Brook to book his 37th career win and another defense of his WBO welterweight belt.
Brook (39-3), a former world champion, started strong behind his kick and occasionally found a home for his right hand. But it didn’t matter too much when Crawford (37-0), who started slowly, picked his moment and landed a short right hand from a south paw stance that made Brook fall on the ropes.
The Brit was able to stand on his feet after the knockdown was scored, but Crawford came back for more and umpire Tony Weeks stepped in before the undefeated American’s opponent could be sent to the canvas.
Crawford knocks out Brook!
1:16
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It was a reminder of how evil Crawford can be. Sure, Brook was the bigger man, but it was the champion who grabbed the bigger punch.
For Crawford, widely regarded as the world’s no.1 pound-for-pound boxer, it was an eighth knockout win in a row and the fourth defense of the WBO belt, which he tore from Australian Jeff Horn in 2018.
And while Brook was by no means considered an easybeat, the boxing world is now calling for a settlement battle between Crawford and IBF and WBC welterweight champion, Errol Spence Jr.
“Let me tell you something, and I mean that,” said senior promoter Bob Arum. “Spence and [Danny] Garcia fights in December. If they really want a big pay-per-view performance, I’m going to use Terence Crawford with both of them in a row and he’ll beat them both on the same night. “
Arum, who represents Crawford, compared his fighter to Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns, adding, “He is by far the best welterweight in the world.”
While Crawford fought a super fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2021, Arum aimed at Spence, who took eleven rounds to defeat Brook in 2017.
“Errol Spence will try to dodge Terence Crawford as long as possible because he knows he can’t beat Terence Crawford,” said Arum.
“You saw the performance tonight. He’ll take out Errol Spence the same number of rounds as Kell Brook. “
“THAT’S PATHETIC”: Australian Andrew Moloney was stripped of the title after a “ridiculous” half-hour review
In the co-report, Andrew Moloney was denied the redemption of the world title after the WBA rematch in the super flyweight of the Australian was classified as “no competition” for technical reasons.
A swollen right eye saw Moloney’s opponent and current defending champion Joshua Franco, who was viewed by the ring doctor as unable to continue before the start of the third round.
The problem? Referee Russell Mora ruled Franco’s swelling was the result of an accidental first-round headbutt.
Moloney denies shock call
1:01
In Nevada, an accidental head butt must complete four rounds before scorecards for an outcome take effect. However, the Nevada State Athletic Commission also allows instant reps to be used to fix obvious flaws, and the vision seemed to show Moloney punches causing the swelling, not a headbutt.
If the damage to Franco had been caused by beatings, Moloney would have got the TKO victory. And to those who watched, it seemed like common sense would have prevail. It was not like that.
Officials reviewed the vision – for about 30 minutes – before finally and bizarrely confirming Mora’s decision, much to the confusion of the boxing world.
Franco gave Moloney his first career loss in June when he stripped the Australian’s belt, but was largely outdone in two rounds on Sunday before chaos erupted.
Moloney tears up after the fight
0:55
VEGAS DAZZLES IN VEGAS
Australian Vegas Larfield made a good impression early on. The 18-year-old changed in his professional career with a third round from Juan Alberto Flores to 2-0 (2 KOs).
After his professional debut on the Tim Tszyu map against Jeff Horn earlier this year, Larfield secured his second win, this time on the other side of the world.
Two wild rounds were quickly forgotten when Larfield landed a left hook to drop Flores early in the third. The Mexican fell again on a straight right before Larfield left his 27-year-old opponent in a mess on the ropes when the umpire stepped in.
The young Aussie is going BOOM
0:56
FULL CARD
Terence Crawford def. Kell Brook – via fourth round TKO – WBO welterweight title
Joshua Franco v Andrew Moloney II – No Competition – WBA Super Flyweight World Title
Joshua Greer Jr. v Edwin Rodriguez – Tie (77-75 Rodriguez, 76-76 x 3) – Bantamweight
Tyler Howard def. KeAndrae Leatherwood – by unanimous decision (77-74, 77-73, 76-74) – middleweight
Duke Ragan def. Sebastian Gutierrez – by unanimous decision (40-35 x 3) – featherweight
Vegas Larfield versus Juan Alberto Flores – over third round TKO – bantamweight
Raymond Muratalla def. Luis Porozo – over the fourth round TKO – easy
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