Impressive Crawford Annihilates Indongo in Three; Who Could be Next?
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 21 Aug 2017
Terence Crawford demonstrated again why he is considered among the top pound4pound fighters in the planet by ravaging in three rounds Namibian double world title holder Julius Indongo Saturday night in Lincoln, Nebraska; and the undefeated, unified 29-year-old Jr. Welterweight world champion is ready for more tough challenges.
From the sound of the first bell "Bud" Crawford (32-0, 23 KOs's) made perfect use of his superior boxing skills, technique and speed to land effectively on the unbeaten African warrior who never found his fighting rhythm simply because Crawford did not allow it.
In round two, Crawford's evident superiority pressed decidedly on by dropping Indongo with a sharp combination to the head that his taller opponent could not avert. Reason: Crawford was too effective, nearing 57% accuracy rate in power punches thrown.
The brave Indogo, 34, managed to get up on his feet from the solid second round knock down at 40 seconds before the end of the exciting chapter.
But the visit to the blue Top Rank canvas was just a prelude to what was about to unfold next, as the thrilled audience at Pinnacle Bank Arena, in Lincoln, Nebraska, was fully enjoying what they came to witness, a winning performance; and their fighter was delivering brilliantly.
The bell for the third stanza sounded as a focused, confident Crawford met his opponent in the center of the ring for more action. Indongo - who had seemingly regrouped from the rough treatment he went trough - was willing to get back into the fight, throwing long left overheads. However, none of them scored as desired.
In the past, Indongo (22-1, 11 KO's) has been rocked down to the canvas during the course of his undefeated boxing career. But he has gotten up from the floor to win his fight.
But not this time.
Crawford was simply too good and in total control.
During a fast skirmish near the middle of ring in the third round, Crawford used a precise opening in Indongo's defense to deliver a perfectly-timed crushing punishment to the mid-section of the Namibian.
Crushing left hook, then a brutal right both to the mid-section forced again the battered Namibian to the mat in evident pain.
Indongo landed on the floor on his left side then turned flat on his back, most likely unable to even hear the count from California referee, former LAFD fire figher Jack Reiss.
The count reached 10 and the fight was waived off for an effective KO at an official time of 1:38 seconds in round 3.
The victory makes Crawford, 29, the one and only world champion at 140 lbs, elevates his standing in every list of the world's pound4pound fighters, and reaffirms what many of his fans have already known, that Crawford was a dangerous warrior at 135, a cruising champion at 140 and could be a tough enemy for any 147-pounder world champion, should Terence Crawford decides to move-up in weight; which most observers consider he will.
Names such as unbeaten WBC/WBA champion Keith Thurman (28-0, 22 KO's), new IBF titlist Errol Spence Jr (22-0, 19 KO's), pop up in fans mind.
Some fans would even love Crawford against WBO champ Jeff Horn (17-0-1, 11 KO's), though the tough 29-year-old Aussie from Brisbane will most likely face veteran multi-division champion Manny Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KO's) in a rematch.
In addition, Vasyl Lomachenko (9-1, 7 KO's), a superbly skilled undefeated southpaw world champ, sounds great to the hearts of some fans as the amazing Hi-Tech Ukrainian has already expressed interest in moving up in weight; though Lomachenko, 29, battling Mickey Garcia for the lightweight title sounds more convincing.
Whoever his next opponent is, Crawford has already broaden his fan base and reasserted himself as a major pound4pound player in the sport of boxing.
About the author: Carlos Costa of Panama is a boxing writer, photographer and reporter who is an admirer and lover of the sport of boxing since he was a kid. Carlos attends boxing fights all over the world, big and small, from amateur fights in Cuba to the mega events in Las Vegas and in the far flung afternoon fights in Thailand. He can be reached at +63(918)453-8152 and Carlos512@hotmail.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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