Philippines, 12 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Still Not Sold on Terrence Crawford


PhilBoxing.com




WBO welterweight champion Terrence Crawford successfully made his third world title defense with a ninth round technical knockout victory over Lithuanian mandatory challenger Edigijus Kavaliaukas in their scheduled 12 round main event bout at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

In departure to his previous title defense, Crawford encountered some difficulties against his enigmatic challenger who lived up to his moniker as the Mean Machine in the first five rounds, particularly in the third where he nearly scored a knockdown after a flurry which the referee quizzically ruled a slip.

For the first time since his title winning effort against Jeff Horn, Crawford was faced against an opponent who was not only slightly bigger physically but also powerful and determined to take the fight to him. Prior to the bout, Kavaliauskas vowed to pin Crawford his first pro defeat--- and by knockout.

But in the succeeding rounds, it became apparent that Kavaliauskas was out of his depth as Crawford started to assert himself after gauging that he could take and time the challenger's punches and that the Lithuanian could not fight on his back foot.

Or move laterally.

Indeed, Kavaliauskas built his previous 21-0, 17 KOs record and reputation fighting solely on forward gear that claimed the scalps of mostly third tier opposition since moving to the US East Coast.



One of the more prominent name in his ledger was Ray Robinson, who was at best a lowly ranked contender and the namesake of boxing greatest fighter even held him to draw which of course the Lithuanian did not agree to, for justifiable reason.

The Lithuanian, in fairness also held wins over former world titlists David Avanesyan and Juan Carlos Abreau but those two are leagues away from the current welterweight front runners.

Crawford proceeded to take control of the fight by the sixth round as he baffled the Lithuanian with his switch hitting and began to bang him in the body.

After downing the Kavaliauskas in the seventh round, Crawford continued to pressure his opponent and eventually, after a rather one sided eighth round, he forced the referee to stop the carnage after sending the Lithuanian crashing to the canvas two more times in the ninth round, the last by a clubbing right.

Kavaliauskas suffered his first career defeat.

Crawford who many considered as the top best pound for pound and welterweight fighter today and the best switch hitter ever thus registered his fourth successive stoppage victory since moving up to the 147 lbs division. Overall, he is now 36-0 with 27 KOs.

Crawford' s supporters could sing paeans in praise and make claims to his worth as a fighter and world titlist but the fact remains there are no proofs to back them.

At least as far as the welterweights are concerned.

Aside from Horn, Crawford has only faced and defeated Jose Benavidez Jr, Amir Khan and now, Kavaliauskas, none of whom are currently in the Ring top ten welterweight ranking.

None of the fighters he has faced at 147 remotely approximate the caliber of the likes of Errol Spence, Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia and a top conditioned Manny Pacquiao.

There is limit to the extent Crawford could claim credit to beating Jeff Horn as the man who beat Manny Pacquiao.

A Manny Pacquiao who was not even physically prepared, mentally focused and psychologically motivated for that fight which Arum virtually forced upon him after torpedoing his UAE bout against Khan in 2017.

The Pacquiao of today, in fact could very well claim to being the leading welterweight fighter and champion with the sidelining of Errol Spence.

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.