Terence Crawford (31-0, 22 KOs) is one of the most gifted boxers in the sport, and he showcased his talents once again in Saturday’s HBO Boxing main event. The Nebraskan systematically picked apart a tough but overmatched Felix Diaz (19-2, 9 KOs) to the point where Diaz’s corner called the fight off at the end of round 10. Both of the 2008 Olympic gold medalist’s eyes were severely swollen and there was no point in prolonging the punishment.
CompuBox credited Crawford for a staggering 59% connection rate on his power punches, as he outlanded Diaz 193-69 overall. A great debut at the main Madison Square Garden arena for Crawford, who either wants Manny Pacquiao or a unification bout with IBF and WBA titleholder Julius Indongo.
Highlights of the fight can be seen at the top of the page.
Here’s Bad Left Hook’s commentary of the final two rounds:
Round 9: With Diaz less willing to walk through punches, the pace has slowed down. Crawford stings Diaz with a hard punch and then rushes forward to look for an opening to end it, but Diaz recovers quickly. More jabs land for Crawford and Diaz is looking a mess: his left eye is closed, his right eye is closing, and his nose and mouth are busted up. Uppercut lands for Crawford. This fight is over, should be stopped right now but somebody, anybody! Crawford 10-9.
Round 10: Diaz’s corner threatens to stop the fight if he can’t turn things around this round. Now the doctors come to take a look at Diaz right after the bell rings. Now we start the round and Diaz is on the defensive, which proves he can’t really turn things around. Crawford playfully walks forward, looks for spots to land some jabs, then whips in left hooks and uppercuts. Crawford mugs at the HBO commentators as they talk about him beating up fighters, ruining their careers. Crawford walks Diaz into another uppercut and I don’t know what else we need to see here. He’s just taking a beating and Crawford lands a flurry of punches to end this round. Please show mercy! And now Diaz’s corner throws in the towel. Crawford TKO-10.
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