CRAWFORD TAKES OUT THE MEAN MACHINE IN 9

Pound for pound No. 1 Terence Crawford showed why he is one of the baddest guys in boxing as he matched strength and power against the sturdy and durable 'Mean Machine' Egidijus Kavaliauskas who he stopped in the 9th round to retain his WBO welterweight title at the Madison Square Garden Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).

Kavaliauskas brought it to Crawford in the second and third rounds by connecting with hard rights to Crawford's head that could have caused Crawford to drop to the canvas in the second round but was ruled a slip by Referee Ricky Gonzalez.

The complexion of the fight changed as it appeared Crawford had found his match in the undefeated Lithuanian who was not afraid to trade the Omahan superstar.

Crawford however started to take control of the fight beginning in the 5th round by out-timing Kavaliauskas with his counters. In the 6th round, Crawford went inside and forced Kavaliauskas to back up. Crawford then displayed he was stronger and meaner than the 'Mean Machine' by forcing his will over the Lithuanian dropping him in the 7th round, continued to punish him in the 8th, dropping him again twice in the 9th round before the referee waved off the fight.

Crawford wants to take all comers but seems like no one wants to stand up to take the challenge.

Crawford now upped his record to 36 wins with 27 knockouts while Kavaliauskas suffered his first defeat with 23 fights.