TERENCE CRAWFORD stopped Kell Brook in devastating fashion in the fourth round in Las Vegas.
The WBO welterweight king Crawford retained his title over Sheffield star Brook, who started well at the MGM Grand before Bud turned it up a notch to hold onto his crown.
Follow ALL of the latest reaction below…
KELL OF A FIGHT
Kell Brook was leading the fight against Terence Crawford before the brutal round four finish.
The judges ringside scorecards in Las Vegas revealed two had Brook ahead after three rounds.
They scored Brook taking the first two sessions but conceding the third.
The other judge awarded the 34-year-old Brit the opening stanza but had Crawford taking the following two.
In the end it mattered little, as Brook’s early success was canceled out as he was finished on his feet.
ER WHAT?
Errol Spence Jr appeared to find Bob Arum’s comments on his amusing.
The veteran promoter said Terence Crawford would stop him in the same time he did against Kell Brook and predicted the unified champ would avoid the unifciatio bout.
Arum said: “Spence and Garcia are fighting on December 5.
“If they really want a big PPV I’ll put Crawford in with both of them on the same night and he beats both.
“The welterweights around now are not competitive with Crawford.”
“Errol Spence will try to avoid Crawford for as long as he can.
“You saw the performance tonight.
“He’ll take out Spence in the same number of rounds as he did Kell Brook.”
Spence responded with a laughing emoji.
BOXING FWIENDS
Crawford and Brook embrace after their welterweight world title fight.
Brook was stopped in round four but gave WBO champ Crawford some trouble in the early stages.
REPORT
Terence Crawford knocked out Kell Brook in round four to retain his WBO welterweight world title.
The American pound-for-pound star – returning after a year out – started slow in Las Vegas’ empty MGM Grand.
But in round four, after a counter right hand, Brook was sent rocking back and handed a standing count.
Despite fighting on, lethal finisher Crawford swarmed the challenger with a barrage of shots causing the fight to be stopped.
After his 37th career win, he said: “I was trying to gauge the distance. He had good distance.
“I was trying to find my rhythm in between getting my distance together. That’s why it was so competitive at first. I couldn’t get my shots off.
“Kell is a tremendous talent. He came and he tried to take my title. He was in shape.
“He made the weight. There were no excuses to be put on the table. He came off of three wins.
“He lost to the better man.”
Brook, fighting at welterweight for the first time since 2017, made a bright start and bossed the first two rounds with an expertly timed jab.
He even threatened with straight right hands, as Crawford went in the southpaw stance to change up his game plan.
By round three, the 33-year-old champion began to find his range and rhythm better, but Brook’s jab was still causing him a problem.
The fight then suddenly turned on its head a minute into the fourth as Crawford landed a perfectly timed right hand in the southpaw stance.
Brook, 34, was sent reeling backwards and took punishment on the ropes before a standing eight-count was called.
He was given the chance to fight on but was still dazed as Crawford – who came into the fight with a 75 per cent finish rate – sensed blood.
The Nebraskan landed another right hook over the top and after a string of left hands, Brook was saved by the referee.
CRAWFORD WANTS PACMAN
Promoter Bob Arum said: “It was set to take place in the Middle East before the minister of health stopped it.
“But we’re [now] in talks want do it in the Middle East before or after Ramadan.”
CRAWFORD WANTS PACMAN
After beating Brook, Crawford called out Manny Pacquiao.
He said: “I already said who I want. I want Pacquiao. I want to revisit that fight.
“That was a fight that should’ve happened right now. But being that the pandemic happened, and they weren’t going to allow fans in the Middle East, they had to put a hold to that.
“Everything was 95 percent done. We had the venue. The money was almost there. It wasn’t quite there. That was the only thing we were waiting on.”
CRAWFORD STOPPAGE
Crawford said: “I was trying to gauge the distance. He had good distance. I was trying to find my distance and it was so competitive at first.”
“I stepped forward more, threw more punches and caught him some times.”
CRAWFORD STOPPAGE
Brook said: “This is boxing. I got caught with shot I didn’t see.
“The referee waved it off and that’s never happened to me before.
“I’d rather lose out my shield. The better man won.”
CRAWFORD STOPPAGE
Brook was caught with a massive right hand and rocked backwards.
Crawford then swarmed the challenger on the ropes as the ref called a standing count.
As Brook carried on after the count, Crawford landed another right hook and after two left hands the ref stopped the action.
ROUND FOUR
Big right hand lands for Crawford and Brook is given a standing count!
Crawford pours on the pressure and Brook is stopped on his feet!
Explosive stoppage in round four for Crawford – who retains his title.
ROUND THREE
Crawford pumping out a southpaw jab which Brook is now struggling to land.
Brook landing the right hand nicely in another good round.
Crawford seems slightly edgy and is yet to really commit to an attack.
ROUND TWO
Brook lands a right hand over the top but Crawford responds with a body shot.
Sharp right hand counter lands for Crawford who is finding his range better now.
Crawford ends the round as a southpaw with Brook again landing the more.
ROUND TWO
Really patient start from Brook who is landing some good jabs and throwing off Crawford’s timing.
ROUND ONE
Here we go! At last the first bell has sounded…
Cagey opener with not a single punch thrown for the first 40 seconds until Brook shot out a jab.
Crawford comes out as an orthodox fighter and looks to be patient.
ONE MORE STEP
Introductions completed, next up the first bell.
Looks like a lively atmosphere in the MGM Grand, Top Rank ‘bubble’.
ALMOST THERE
Both boxers in the ring now and we’re getting closer.
Just the introductions left to go.
HERE COMES BUD
Crawford now walking out to the ring.
This will be the fourth defence of his WBO welterweight title.
HERE COMES KELL
Brook walks out to his familiar ‘All of The Lights’ Kanye West walk out tune.
But he will be led into battle without lifelong trainer Brendan Ingle – after the pair parted ways before the fight.
Brook also is without the backing of his usual promoter Eddie Hearn.
MAIN EVENT
Right, national anthems are done, ring walks next.
Feels like we’ve been here for a while…
UP NEXT
Moments away from the fight with Brook set to walk out first.
UP NEXT
Finally, we are set for the main-event next!
Crawford defends his welterweight and P4P crown against underdog Brook.
DECISON IN
After 26 long minutes Franco retains his belt with officials declaring the swollen eye came from a clash of heads.
KELL OF A WAIT
With a decision on Maloney and Franco STILL yet to be reached – Brook is like the rest of us.
The Brit is just patiently waiting ahead of his WBO welterweight title challenge.
EYE EYE EYE
Here is Franco’s swollen eye which forced the fight to be halted.
Officials are STILL trying to determine whether it was from a blow or accidental clash of heads.
Maloney will win by technical stoppage if it is deemed a blow, but a headbutt verdict will end the fight as a technical draw.
PATIENTLY WAITING
No decision has been made as of yet to declare whether it is an accidental clash of heads or a punch which caused the damage.
In the meantime, Bud Crawford is warming up for his headliner against Brook.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
