In praise of referee Robert Byrd
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 12 Jun 2018
JEFF Horn wasted no time and apologized to Australia after he failed in his defense of the WBO welterweight boxing crown in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Horn also praised his American conqueror, Terence Crawford, calling him a gifted and masterful warrior.
The judges awarded all the rounds to Crawford.
Horn had some bright moments in the early part, when he was able to tag Crawford a few times that sent his wife and other Australians at ringside rising and applauding.
**
The championship fight at the MGM Las Vegas Grand would however be a totally different story?a sharp demo on what an elite fighter is and what is not?once Crawford decided to pour it on in the middle rounds.
Crawford, smooth, sharp and powerful, showed why he had previously been tagged a very dangerous opponent for Manny Pacquiao by Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
Roach was apt in warning against the ?bigger, stronger, younger,? Crawford.
Crawford was a whole lot more than that in Las Vegas on Sunday.
**
He was a vision of delightful, lighting the ring with his rare bronze brilliance.
It was too bad that it landed on Horn to be on the receiving end of a masterful poetic dominance by the celebrated Omaha, Nebraska native.
Crawford took Horn?s WBO welterweight crown via 9th round technical knockout.
**
It was a neat and sensational title grab.
Promoter Bob Arum said the future would be unlimited for the 30-year-old Crawford, following his capture of a third world title.
Horn?s chief handler Glenn Rushton, said he was truly amazed by Crawford?s all-around might.
**
Rushton however had some misgivings about the fight referee, Robert Byrd.
Said the self-made Australian millionaire: ?Many of the rounds were very close. We were planning for a big finish. We wanted to bring it home really hard in the last 2 or 3 rounds, but that did not happen.?
Rushton said he genuinely believed referee Byrd was too hasty in calling a stop to the fight.
**
Byrd, as shown in the video replay worked it very competently. He was wholly on top after Horn was floored in the ninth round.
Horn tried to make a go of it upon getting up but was met by a two-fisted assault, delivered by Crawford with measured full-knuckle shots.
Byrd promptly wrapped his arms around Horn who again got stunned by solid punches with some 30 seconds left in the 9th.
Byrd stopped the fight to save Horn, not for anything else.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
Sat, 26 Apr 2025WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank vs Benn: Like Father Like Son
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Misses Weight Ahead of Highly Anticipated Benn Clash
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Rafael Espinoza: “I’m Going To Steal The Show On May 4!”
Sat, 26 Apr 2025CO-PROMOTER OF TONIGHT'S ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ SAYS FIRST EVENT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
Sat, 26 Apr 2025