Unbeaten WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford scored a straightforward sixth-round knockout win over David Avanesyan in Omaha on Saturday, however it’s anybody’s guess if the combat is a prelude to an even bigger matchup with Errol Spence Jr.
‘We do not know what’s subsequent,’ Crawford mentioned after bettering to 39-0 in entrance of his hometown on Saturday.
Brian McIntyre, Crawford’s coach, mentioned his fighter could be open to shifting up from 147 kilos to 154: ‘I do not suppose anybody at 54 or 47 can beat him. The one query is, ‘Who’s prepared to combat him?’
WBO champ Terence Crawford does a postfight interview after knocking out David Avanesyan
The pay-per-view bout was made after negotiations for an undisputed welterweight championship combat between Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. broke down in October.
Crawford did not name out Spence immediately, saying he would think about anybody who desires to combat, ideally within the spring.
‘We have got to return to the drafting board and be prepared for whoever.’
Spence additionally made headlines on Saturday night time, however for a lot totally different causes: He was concerned in a serious automotive accident on Saturday night time – his second since 2019 – however averted main damage.
The 32-year-old Texan posted a self-shot video from the aftermath of the crash, through which he claims he was hit ‘head on’ by a 14-year-old who took his dad and mom’ automotive with out permission or a driver’s license.
‘He ran the sunshine,’ Spence mentioned on the video, displaying the crumpled entrance finish of an SUV. ‘F*** my complete s*** up.’
Particulars of Saturday’s crash haven’t been revealed, however Spence gave the impression to be effective in his self-shot Instagram video.
Unified welterweight boxing champion Errol Spence Jr. was concerned in a serious automotive accident on Saturday night time – his second since 2019 – however averted main damage. The 32-year-old Texan posted a self-shot video from the aftermath of the crash, through which he claims he was hit ‘head on’ by a 14-year-old who took his dad and mom’ automotive with out permission or a driver’s license. It is unclear if the crumpled automotive within the image belongs to Spence or the opposite driver
David Avanesyan lies on the mat after being knocked out by Terence Crawford in the course of the sixth spherical of the WBO welterweight title boxing bout Saturday
Crawford, combating for the primary time in additional than a yr, had the sixth-ranked challenger wobbling with a flurry of blows earlier than touchdown a proper cross to the chin that put Avanesyan to the canvas 2 minutes, 14 seconds into the spherical.
‘I used to be touching him to the physique, and I used to be seeing that had an impact,’ Crawford mentioned. ‘He had a excessive guard, and I picked up the tempo. There have been punches in bunches, I noticed a gap and took it and the remainder is historical past.’
Crawford was combating in his hometown for the sixth time as knowledgeable and first time since 2018, and cheers of ‘Craw-ford! Craw-ford!’ began earlier than introductions
The 35-year-old Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) confirmed no indicators of rust in his first combat since he stopped Shawn Porter within the tenth spherical on November 20, 2021.
Avanesyan (29-4-1), who beforehand fought in March and received by technical knocked over Oskari Metz, stood in there with Crawford for the primary 5 rounds.
Crawford got here out in an orthodox stance, however switched to southpaw halfway by means of the primary spherical and fought that approach for the period.
Terence Crawford, higher proper, poses for pictures along with his group and household after knocking out David Avanesyan in the course of the sixth spherical of the WBO welterweight title boxing match Saturday
Crawford used an efficient jab to neutralize Avanesyan, however the Russian by no means backed off. Crawford shook him up with a mixture to the top and physique within the fourth, landed a pair stable physique pictures within the fifth after which took full management within the sixth.
Crawford landed three straight uppercuts to the chin, wobbled him with a pair pictures to the physique after which landed the decisive blow that put down Avanesyan.
Within the featured bout on the undercard, former MMA star Cris Cyborg received by unanimous choice over Gabrielle Holloway (0-3) in 4 rounds in her skilled boxing debut.
Cyborg was the aggressor all through and within the third spherical had Holloway bent over alongside the ropes with a flurry of pictures to the top and physique. After the standing eight depend, Cyborg landed a pair extra pictures to complete the spherical and continued her onslaught by means of the fourth.
In different fights, gentle heavyweight Steve Nelson (18-0, 15 KOs) knocked out James Ballard (10-4) in 2:41 of the primary spherical; Jeremiah Milton (8-0) received by unanimous choice over 388-pound heavyweight Dujuan Calloway (5-2) in six rounds; and tremendous bantamweight Arnold Khegai (19-1-1) received by break up choice over Eduardo Baez (21-4-2) in 10 rounds.
