Boxing: Terence Crawford dominates Jeff Horn to win welterweight title

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Terence Crawford’s introduction to the welterweight division was a dominant one on Saturday as he disarmed and clinically dismantled WBO champion Jeff Horn. Crawford (33-0, 24 KOs), who unified all four 140-pound titles last August, became boxing’s latest three-division champion with a ninth-round TKO of Horn at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Crawford started out fighting from the southpaw stance, controlling the distance and picking Horn off as he leaped straightforward. In the second round, it was Crawford coming forward having success landing his shots. Horn was game jumping forward landing his right hand a few times but Crawford was clearly landing all the clean punches.

The challenger got a lot more aggressive taking charge in the third round, landing big shots on Horn throughout the round. The difference in skills started to show as Crawford was outboxing Horn taking complete control of the bout. The champion showed tremendous heart, but his opponent stepped his foot on the gas as the fight went on.

By the midway point Crawford was putting on a masterpiece, slowly and methodically picking Horn apart. Also beating him on the inside, outside and midrange, breaking him down slowly.

Horn to his credit kept coming but it was Crawford landing all the meaningful punches in the seventh round. Crawford landed a beautiful left hook, followed by an uppercut in a dominating eighth round. He hurt Horn for about the entire last minute of the round, wobbling him at the end of the round.

Horn went down in the ninth but was able to continue. Shortly after the referee stepped in and put a halt to the bout giving Crawford the ninth round TKO victory.