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FILE – Terence Crawford enters the ring against Egidijus Kavaliauskas during their WBO welterweight title fight from Crawford at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 2019 in New York City. Al Bello / Getty Images / AFP
Undefeated Terence Crawford won his first fight of 2020 on Saturday defending his World Boxing Organization welterweight title with an impressive fourth-round knockout over Kell Brook in Las Vegas.
American Crawford shook off the ring rust from a long hiatus due to the coronavirus epidemic with a declaration of victory over the former English champion at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.
Crawford beat Brook on the punch with a right jab that sent the challenger stumbling toward the ropes. He then finished off moments later with a right hand and a flurry of short lefts that prompted referee Tony Weeks to stop him at 1:14 of the round.
The 33-year-old started slowly, looking for an opening to try to harness his superior speed and skill. Brook’s game plan seemed to be working until Crawford seized his opportunity midway through the quarter with a devastating forehand to the face.
“I was trying to measure the distance. He had good distance, ”Crawford said of the frustrating early rounds. “I was trying to find my rhythm. That’s why it was so competitive in the beginning. I couldn’t make my shots. “
Organizers decided to allow 100 spectators, including family members, to enter the Nevada casino to watch the fight amid a pandemic that has killed 1.3 million worldwide, including 245,000 Americans.
Crawford improved to 37-0 with 28 knockouts despite a size disadvantage against the bigger Brooks, who has fought as tall as the middleweight.
Brook had a different trainer for this fight because his regular didn’t want to come to the US because of the coronavirus.
He suffered his third loss in his last five fights and his record fell to 39-3 with 27 KOs.
“They caught me with a shot that I didn’t see. I’ve always said that if I’m in a fight and I’m going to lose, I’m going to come out with my shield, ”he said.
Crawford was making his first in-ring appearance since December 2019 when he beat Egidijus Kavaliauskas, and he hopes he won’t have to wait that long for the next one.
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