Terence Crawford put on a marvelous display to capture a second-weight undisputed reign before a gasping crowd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Crawford took a round to figure out Spence. But after that, it was all Bud.
Spence hit the canvas with a flash knockdown in the second from a superb shot. It was all downhill from there for the ex-three-belt champion on the back of the first knockdown of his career.
Looking out of sorts and frail, Spence was bloodied after the first three rounds and never got any foothold in the contest.
Terence Crawford dominates and stops Errol Spence Jr.
Seemingly untouchable at times, Crawford put four rounds in the bank before a counter uppercut did the damage in the seventh. As Spence threw his own power shot, Crawford dazzled with the perfect response, and the writing was on the wall.
“The Truth” hit the deck for the second time in the round to put the result beyond doubt in Crawford’s favor.
After taking a round off in the eighth, Crawford aimed to end it in the ninth as Spence struggled to get through his impenetrable guard. After putting together a few more solid shots, Harvey Dock saved Spence from any further punishment.
Crawford vs Spence rematch
In the aftermath, Crawford stated he would be willing to give Spence a rematch. That’s if he activated the clause in the contract. Whether the fans would buy another installment after such a one-sided beating is debatable.
Speaking to Jim Gray, Spence stated his intentions to do it again to virtually no reaction from the crowd. Spence also added he wanted to do it a 154 pounds.
Co-feature
Donaire may now contemplate retirement after his bid to match countryman Pacquiao’s feat of winning a world title at 40 was thwarted.
After twelve hard-fought rounds, judges carded unanimously in favor of Santiago. Scores read 116-112 twice and 115-113.
CompuBox stats backed up the end result.
“In the 2nd fight on the Spence-Crawford PPV, Alexandro Santiago used an excellent 2nd half of the fight to overcome Nonito Donaire.
“In the end, both fighters landed 130 total punches. Santiago was busier. He threw 609 punches compared to 495 for Donaire. Santiago held a 62 to 53 advantage in power punches landed.”
If this is the last time we see ‘The Filipino Flash’ inside the ropes, it’s been a hell of a ride and a first-ballot Hall of Fame tenure.
