TERENCE CRAWFORD RETAINED his WBO welterweight title with a 12th-round knockout of Jose Benavidez in Omaha overnight.
Crawford (34-0) was dominant throughout at the CHI Health Center in his hometown, and his first defence of the title ended in victory in the final round.
The American was the aggressor from the outset, dictating to Benavidez, who suffered his first loss in 28 fights.
Crawford’s decisive blow arrived with just seconds remaining, knocking out Benavidez with a huge uppercut.
The shot that signaled the beginning of the end. #CrawfordBenavidez pic.twitter.com/9VXdvQj3ZW
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 14, 2018
.@budcrawford402 may have missed at the weigh-in, but he didn't miss when it counted! #CrawfordBenavidez pic.twitter.com/Te3D9eanh4
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 14, 2018
Both fighters made a relatively tentative start – perhaps surprising given the animosity in the lead-up – but Crawford tried to dictate early with his jab.
Crawford’s body shots were the main blows landed in the opening rounds and the American was becoming more aggressive as the fight wore on.
Benavidez – who continually shook his head to play down his opponent’s shots – enjoyed his best round in the fourth, but Crawford responded, his speed giving him control of the bout.
Crawford’s biggest punches were missing, but he continued to be the busier of the two fighters.
Benavidez struggled to land any meaningful combinations throughout, keeping his distance from Crawford.
Perhaps tiring, Benavidez retreated to the ropes for much of the 10th round as Crawford looked for a knockout blow.
And that arrived in the final minute, Crawford sending Benavidez to the canvas with a huge right uppercut, before the fight was stopped after another flurry of blows moments later.
Earlier on the card, 2016 Olympic silver medallist Shakur Stevenson took his pro record to 9-0 with a first-round knockout of Viorel Simion — a man who has shared the ring with both Lee Selby and Scott Quigg in the past.
First KD. #CrawfordBenavidez pic.twitter.com/Ej0r9cnc7w
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 14, 2018
No. 2 #CrawfordBenavidez pic.twitter.com/yyE0BC0Rso
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 14, 2018
Super-featherweight Mikaela Mayer, another Rio Olympian, took her record to 8-0 with a dominant points victory against Vanessa Bradford.
We told ya'll about that @MikaelaMayer1 right hand! #CrawfordBenavidez pic.twitter.com/TuwPqsXu2J
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) October 14, 2018
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