Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing at Madison Square Garden in New York City presented WBO World Welterweight Champion Terence “Bud” Crawford, of Omaha, NEB, in his second title defense against former IBF and WBA Light Welterweight champion Amir “King” Khan, of the UK.
In the Main Event WBO World Welterweight champion Terence Crawford, 35-0 (26), of Omaha, NEB, stopped Amir “King” Khan, 33-5 (20), of Bolton, Lancashire, UK, at 0:47 of the 6th round when Khan’s corner decided to end the fight after an incidental low blow.
In the first round near about a minute Kahn tried landing a right hand that was blocked by Crawford. In the final minute a Crawford right on the chin followed by a left dropping Kahn who beat the count of referee David Fields.
In the second round Kahn landed a left hook to the chin of Crawford after a minute of feeling each other out. Crawford landed a right to the chin with Kahn coming back with a combination to the head. Crawford switched to southpaw at the halfway of the round until the end of the round.
In the fourth round Crawford continued fighting southpaw boxing well. Near the final minute of the round Crawford landed a flurry of punches to the head and body hurting Kahn. In the final 30 seconds Crawford went back to orthodox. The final punch of the round was a right from Kahn to the chin of Crawford.
In the fifth round Crawford went back to southpaw where he seemed to have an advantage. Crawford did much better as a southpaw leaving Kahn less offensive.
In the sixth round Crawford came out orthodox. Inside a minute a low left from Crawford hurt Kahn. Referee Fields took Kahn to his corner where he couldn’t continue.
Instead of going to the scorecards the fight was given to Crawford on a low blow. This writer had Crawford ahead 48-46.
In the co-feature lightweight Teofimo “El Brooklyn” Lopez, 13-0 (11), of Brooklyn, NY, stropped Edis “Prince” Tatli, 31-3 (10), of Kosovo and Helsinki, FIN, at 1:32 of the fifth round.
In the first round Lopez landed the first solid punch into a minute of the round a lead right to the chin of Tatli. Lopez kept the pressure on Tatli throughout the round. In the second round Lopez came out lunging with his left hook falling short. Tatli kept his hands up high on defense. Lopez drove Tatli into a corner with a four-punch combination to the body and head. Tatli tried blocking a jab and left himself open for a right to the chin.
In the third round Lopez was looping his right hands trying to get Tatli to open up his defense. In the fourth round Lopez was pressing for a knockout that wasn’t coming yet. In the fifth round Tatli used a jab trying to get more offensive but his follow-up rights are falling short. Lopez landed a right to the solar-plexus dropping Tatli on his knees for the count by referee Ron Lipton.
Featherweight Olympic Silver Medalist Shakur “Fearless” Stevenson, 11-0 (6), of Alexandria, VA, easily defeated Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz, 24-2 (16), of Barranquitas, PR, over 10 rounds for the IBF Inter-Continental and vacant WBO NABO titles.
In the first two rounds Stevenson got the best of Diaz. In the third fight Stevenson landed a 3-punch combination to the body and head hurting Diaz. In the fourth round Diaz backed Stevenson against the ropes. Stevenson moved back into the middle of the ring and took over again.
In the sixth round Stevenson used more defense as Diaz started throwing wild punches knowing he was behind in the fight. Stevenson had too much all around boxing and defense for him. In the seventh round Diaz kept stepping on the foot of Stevenson who once retaliated. In the ninth round Stevenson kept using the jab while Diaz continued to come in with arms to his side wide open for any offense Stevenson throws.
In the tenth and final round Diaz tried taunting Stevenson and foolishly pounded the canvas with his right glove which brought referee Gary Rosato in to wipe the glove. Stevenson raised his hand in the final minute knowing he won the fight. He moved around the ring knowing he could on lose by knockout which was never coming. The frustrated Diaz was just no match tonight.
Scores were Julie Lederman 100-90, Kevin Morgan 99-91 and Joe Pasquale 98-92 agreeing with this writer. The referee was Gary Rosato.
Lightweight Felix “El Diamante” Verdejo, 25-1 (16), of San Juan, PR, defeated Bryan “El Tiquito” Vasquez, 37-4 (20), of San Jose, CR, over 10 rounds.
In the first round both fighters are mixing it up well. No feeling out here. They both scored well with right crosses. In the third round Vasquez switched to southpaw halfway through the round with no effect so he went back to orthodox.
In the fourth round Verdejo was cut under the left eye. In the second half of the fight the younger Verdejo took over. Neither fighter shined tonight and are certainly no challenge to the No. 1 P4P fighter in the world LOMA!
Scores were 97-93 twice and 98-92.
Super Welterweight Carlos Adames, 17-0 (14), of DR and Washington Heights, NY, stopped Frank “Notorious” Galarza, 20-3-2 (12), of Brooklyn, NY, in the 4th round for the NABF and NABO titles.
Super Welterweight 2-time Olympian southpaw Vikas “The Indian Tank” Krishan, 2-0 (1), defeated Noah Kidd, 3-2-1 (2), of Jefferson City, MO, over 6 rounds.
Krishan had his way using a right hook but dropping if after he threw it to his side. That allowed Kidd to get his punches in making Krishan go on the defense. He also needs to listen to his trainer.
Scores were 60-54 twice and 59-55 as did this writer have it.
Middleweight Edgar “The Chosen One” Berlanga, 10-0 (10), of New York, NY, stopped at 0:46 of the first round Samir dos Santos Barbosa, 37-16-3 (26), of Rio Grande, BRZ, in a scheduled 8.
In the first round Berlanga charged after Barbosa hurting him with a right to the chin. He then followed up landing a flurry of punches forcing referee Eddie Claudio to call a halt in this one sided fight. That’s ten straight first round stoppages for Berlanga.