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:
Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
Tue, 16 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025