On Saturday night, Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford stepped inside the squared circle to deliver fans a title fight that many thought would never happen.
For the first time in the history of the welterweight division, one man will be crowned as a four-belt king as the two superstar pugilists go toe-to-toe inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Spence, the reigning WBC, WBA, and IBF champion boasts an impressive 28-0 record while his opponent, WBO titleholder Terence Crawford, comes in with a staggering record of 39-0.
Who made professional boxing history in what many are calling the fight of the decade?
Round 1
Both men come out sizing up one another, Crawford fires a body shot against the ropes as Spence begins to put on some pressure and pop the jab. Spence corners Crawford and throws a jab. Crawford responds, landing a solid right hand as Spence overreached. Both men return to the center of the ring as the opening round comes to a close.
Round 2
Spence comes out looking to work the jab once again and unloads a nice left hand. Crawford circles around and works the jab, but Spence’s pressure once again closes the distance and puts Crawford against the ropes. Crawford goes to the body as Spence returns fire with a double jab. A combination from Crawford partially lands. Spence moves in, splits the guard of Crawford, and lands a jab. They trade jabs as the pace begins to pick up. Crawford unloads a left hand. A power jab from Crawford lands clean and drops Spence with 15 seconds to go in the round. Spence answers the bell and Crawford moves in but is unable to land any additional offense before the round comes to an end.
Round 3
Spence comes out looking to regain some momentum. Spence moves in, pushing Crawford against the ropes, and unleashes a series of strikes. Crawford answers before circling out of danger and returning to the center of the ring. Spence again moves in and unloads a left followed by a right. Crawford responds with a quick combo upstairs. Combination by Spence lands, but Crawford responds. Jab by Crawford lands and Spence is beginning to become frustrated by the hand speed of his opponent. Spence moves in and ties up just before the third round bell sounds.
Round 4
Both men meet in the middle and get right back to it in the fourth with Spence again looking to close the distance. However, Crawford begins answering back, targeting the body. An uppercut from Spence followed by a short left hand that lands, but Crawford again responds with a lead left hand that rattles Spence. Double jab from Spence, but he gets jolted by a return jab from Crawford. He continues to tag Spence with the jab before turning his attack to the body. Spence moves in and ties up, allowing Crawford to land a hook to the body as the round ends.
Before coming out for the fifth round, the ringside physician checked the eye of Spence which appears to be swelling at a rapid pace.
Round 5
Spence comes out looking to establish a rhythm with the jab, but Crawford’s accuracy and speed are preventing that from happening. Double jab from Spence. Crawford responds with a double jab followed by a right hand. At this point, Crawford is listed as a -1600 in the live odds thanks to his brilliant counterstriking. Spence throws a couple of right hands as Crawford digs to the body. The left hand from Spence lands clean but doesn’t appear to affect Crawford.
Round 6
Unlike previous rounds, Spence immediately starts backing up as Crawford puts on some early pressure. Both fighters stand in the pocket and trade body blows before being separated. Spence goes to the body and Crawford reacts with a punishing jab that nearly drops Spence again. Double jab from Crawford lands. Spence fires back with double jabs of his own. Spence gets clipped with a left from Crawford and begins to back off once separated by the referee. Double jab from Crawford. Spence closes the distance and rips to the body but eats an uppercut just before the bell sounds.
Round 7
Spence now trying to come forward and deliver combinations, but Crawford avoids and unleashes a left hook. A left from Spence is blocked. Spence continues to move in and lands a solid right hand, but eats a counter that puts him on the mat for the second time in the fight. Spence answers the 10-count but is clearly on wobbly legs. Crawford moves in for the kill but smartly backs off and continues to counterstrike. Spence continues to target the body as Crawford begins to stalk his prey. Crawford goes to the body and unloads a right hook that drops Spence again. Spence once again answers the 10-count at the bell.
Round 8
Terence Crawford comes out to continue the one-sided affair, pumping his jab and keeping Spence on his heels. Spence is becoming increasingly trigger-shy as Crawford continues to put on pressure and keep Spence at pay with his jab. Right hook from Crawford land. Spence attempts to fire back but eats a counter right, followed by another right hand. Spence lands a right hand and starts to open up a bit toward the end of the round, but he is unable to land as Crawford has through eight rounds of action.
Round 9
Spence comes out lunging forward with a left. Crawford begins pushing forward, popping the jab and targeting the body. Spence attempts to close the distance, but can’t get off any offense. Spence is overreaching while attempting to land, but Crawford’s ability to counter is leading to an incredible amount of success. Crawford lands another counter right, wobbling Spence. Crawford moves in and unleashes a flurry of strikes. Spence can’t get out of danger, forcing the referee to step in and call for the stoppage in round nine.
Official Result: Terrance Crawford def. Errol Spence Jr. via TKO at 2:32 of Round 9
Check Out Highlights From Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford Below:
Legendary duo for a legendary fight 🔥@Eminem x @terencecrawford #SpenceCrawford starts now: https://t.co/lcYztq3zt7 pic.twitter.com/1HNpJs04iW
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 30, 2023
BIG MOMENT in the early going of #SpenceCrawford. 👀pic.twitter.com/pIDOtc6zum
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 30, 2023
Terence Crawford with his THIRD knockdown of the fight on Errol Spence Jr., whoa. 😮#SpenceCrawfordpic.twitter.com/RnoSiYgJzM
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 30, 2023
OH MY!
One more time at the bell for @terencecrawford 👊#SpenceCrawford pic.twitter.com/SjkKYfqSaQ
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) July 30, 2023
