On November 20, 2021, Terrence “Bud” Crawford secured the most significant victory of his career by defending his WBO welterweight title against Shawn Porter at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. Porter, a former WBC welterweight champion known for his amateur win over Oleksandr Usyk and competitive fights against top fighters like Errol Spence, couldn’t withstand Crawford’s relentless performance. Despite Porter starting strong and nearly knocking Crawford down in the third round, Crawford, trailing on scorecards, unleashed a powerful knockout in the 10th round that forced Porter’s corner to throw in the towel. This defeat led to Porter’s retirement, marking his first career knockout loss.
In September, Crawford cemented his status as boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighter by moving up two weight classes to defeat the undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. Though Crawford hinted at retirement, he is expected to continue fighting through 2026. Interest in high-profile matches is growing, including a rumored agreement involving Anthony Joshua, who is said to have signed a boxing contract after possibly agreeing to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Crawford initially dismissed the idea of fighting Paul but reconsidered after learning about a potential $200 million payday.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for fight fans as it highlights Crawford’s dominance and willingness to take on new challenges, which keeps the sport exciting and unpredictable. A potential bout between established champions and crossover stars like Jake Paul could bring fresh attention and new audiences to boxing, impacting its future popularity and marketability.
