On Saturday, June 9, 2018, Terence “Bud” Crawford (33-0, 24 KOs) made his Welterweight debut against previously unbeaten Jeff “The Hornet” Horn (18-1-1, 12 KOs) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Terence Crawford earned an impressive TKO victory in Round 9. Leading up to the ninth-round knockdown and referee stoppage, Crawford made it look easy winning every round.
Even though Crawford was the heavy favorite going into Saturday night’s bout and few would have bet against him, the fashion in which he won was nothing short of spectacular. Crawford continues to awe boxing fans on his way up the pound-for-pound rankings.
Crawford is already a two-time ESPN fighter of the year, has won titles in three divisions and continues to defeat quality opponents without taking very much punishment. With this win, Crawford expressed his excitement to take on the best of the best in the Welterweight division.
“Like I told you all before, I’m strong, you all didn’t believe me, and I was way stronger than him. You all kept telling me how strong he was but you didn’t give me enough credit, and I had to show you all,” said Crawford in his post-fight interview.
In the stacked Welterweight division, who should Terence “Bud” Crawford face next?
Errol Spence Jr.
Photo by Porfirio Barron Jr./RBRBoxing
“We here. Like I said, my power carried up and my physicality got stronger,” said Crawford after his win over Jeff Horn. “We here now. I want the other champions. I want the big fights. Bob [Arum, Top Rank promoter], let’s make it happen.”
The fight that everyone wants to see. There has already been a lot of talk in regards to making Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr. happen next. Spence Jr. is the current IBF Welterweight champion.
Both Spence and Crawford are atop most pound-for-pound ranking lists and stylistically this would make for a very interesting fight. Spence will face Carlos Ocampo this Saturday, June 16 in Texas and if Spence wins that fight and retains his title then the pressure to make this fight happen is inevitable.
“I want the other champions,” said Crawford. “I want the big fights. I’m a big force in the Welterweight division and coming for all of them.”
This would be an extremely competitive fight and likely be the hardest fight either men has been in. In regards to level of competition, I do believe Crawford has faced stiffer competition to date, but that does not mean Spence isn’t ready for the challenge.
Winner of Shawn Porter vs. Danny Garcia
Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia are fighting for the vacant WBC Welterweight title later this summer on August 25. The winner of this fight will also likely be at the top of the list for Crawford to face next. Regardless of who comes out victorious in this fight, Crawford would pose a threat to both of them.
If Danny Garcia wins, I see the fight between Crawford and Garcia to be extremely fast paced with both trying to walk the other down. If Shawn Porter wins, I see the fight between Crawford and Porter to be more technical, neither looking to let their guard down.
Again, both fighters are a good option for Crawford as either fight would be very appealing to boxing fans.
The list of fighters for Crawford to face next in the Welterweight division is limitless right now. Other names already being deliberated include Jose Benavidez, Manny Pacquaio and Keith Thurman.
Terence Crawford is excited about the opportunity to be fighting in a new division as he looks to continue to be challenged.
“I’m happier, I got more energy, and I’m excited to fight in a new division,” said Crawford (per ESPN). “I wouldn’t say I was getting bored at 140, but it was getting kind of dull, and now you got all these fighters at 147 that have names for themselves, and that makes for an exciting division. It’s just better for my career that I moved up. There’s a lot of great names in Welterweight, and there’s a lot of opportunities at Welterweight.”
Crawford is ready to take over the Welterweight division–this was a good move for Crawford and an exciting move for boxing fans.
Header photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank
