THE VIEW'S BOXING REVIEW
JUNE
the occasion in front of a raucous crowd of 10,943 in a city hosting it's first World Title fight for 42 years, when the late great Joe Frazier successfully defended the heavyweight Championship of the World against local challenger Ron Stander.
Crawford was making the first defence of his title which he won via unanimous decision over Ricky Burns back in March and entered the contest with full momentum and confidence having travelled to his predecessors home town of Glasgow and thoroughly impressing on route to taking his shot at world honours at the first attempt. Gamboa in contrast found himself at a career cross roads of sorts, after a dynamic start to his professional career and multiple World titles at Featherweight, his career progress over the past few years had been littered with inactivity and contract issues. This bout was his platform to catapult himself back to the career heights his early performances justifiably led him to and more importantly back in to the forefront of the boxing public's imagination.
This would be the toughest assignment of both fighters professional career to date, Crawford would be facing his most talented opponent, a man with experience of holding world titles ,albeit at a lower weight class. Whilst Gamboa would be facing a Champion in his own back yard and giving away a number of physical advantages including height, natural weight and reach, it was going to require something truly special from Gamboa to leave the ring victorious and with a title strap in a second weight division.
As the fight commenced it was the challenger who began the sharpest, immediately dispelling the suggestions that he would show signs of ring rust. Gamboa quickly found his rhythm and his hand speed appeared to catch Crawford by surprise as the Champion failed to land anything significant in the opening stanza. The highlight of the first round a right hand from Gamboa inside the opening minute which jolted Crawford backwards after the Cuban set up the punch using a throwaway left jab.
'Crawford: Superstar In The Making'
By Erman Housein
Terence Crawford retained his WBO Lightweight title with a ninth round stoppage victory over challenger Yuriorkis Gamboa in a thrilling contest at the Centurylink Center, In Omaha, Nebraska.
Crawford sent Olympic Gold medalist and former IBF and WBA Featherweight World Champion Gamboa to the canvas four times during a pulsating nine rounds of action which will surely be a shoe-in on everyone's 'Fight of The Year' short list.
Both men boasted identical undefeated professional records (23-0, 16 KO) going in to the bout and they produced a show piece worthy of