American boxer Terence Crawford on Sunday defeated Namibian Julius Indongo at the “Pinnacle Bank Arena” in Lincoln, Nebraska via third round knockout to become the first undisputed four-belt world champion in 12 years.
Crawford retained his WBC and WBO Junior Welterweight titles, and snatched Indongo’s WBA and IBF crowns after he twice toppled the African boxer, the first time in the second round and the second in the third round.
The fight, attended by 12,121 people, cemented Crawford as one of the best fighters in the world. With the victory, Crawford became the second boxer to get the four unified belts. The other is Bernard Hopkins, who in 2004 unified the world middleweight scepters by beating Mexican American Oscar de la Hoya in nine rounds.
The win allows Crawford, 29, to improve his undefeated record to 32-0, with 23 Kos, while Indongo saw his mark fall to 22-1 with 11 wins by KO.
Since Indongo is two inches taller, Crawford boxed inside to counter his opponent’s longer arm reach.
Although in the first episode Indongo kept Crawford away with powerful jabs, the American survived the early punishment and in the second round changed his strategy.
In the second round Crawford boxed inside, but reinforced his guard and was able to punish and annoy Indongo, which could do little with his long range.
With 40 seconds left in second round, Crawford hit Indongo with a left hook to the chest and sent the Namibian to the canvas, who although he rose quickly to continue the fight was still woozy from the blow.
In the third round, Crawford already knew the recipe and pressed again with his inside and aggressive boxing to counter Indongo’s reach.
With a few second left in the third round, Crawford surprised Indongo with a left hook to the liver to send him to the floor for the second time.
Indongo could not catch his breath and as he twisted in pain on the floor referee Jack Reiss stopped the fight.
Crawford could now move up to welterweight to face the winner of the rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Jeff Horn.
