LAS VEGAS — Terence Crawford stopped Shawn Porter in the 10th round by technical knockout on Sunday (PH time) in one of the most anticipated bouts of the year.
Crawford (38-0) retained his WBO welterweight title and extended his streak of KOs or TKOs to nine in front of a sold-out crowd of 11,568 at Mandalay Bay.
Porter (31-4-1), who has risen to become a legitimate top-five welterweight, and was easily the best opponent of Crawford’s career, displayed relentless aggression in the early rounds.
Crawford’s switch-hitting flex didn’t necessarily work when he turned to southpaw early in the fight, as Porter adjusted accordingly and connected often.
After playing defense and smiling more than punching, Crawford finally showed signs of offense in the sixth round and came alive in the ninth and tenth rounds. Crawford knocked down Porter early in the 10th round with a left uppercut and then delivered an exclamation point with a devastating right hook to the temple.
Porter’s trainer and father, Kenny, threw in the towel and called for referee Celestino Ruiz to stop the fight. (AP)