“We knew that he wanted to get in my head and make it a firefight,” Crawford said. “I saw him in his corner taking deep breaths and knew he was done.”
The opening rounds were closely contested, but as the fight entered the second half, Crawford’s combination punching told the story. Benavidez (27-1, 18 KOs) gave Crawford one of the toughest tests of his career, but it was not enough to unseat the pound-for-pound king.
“I gave a hell of a fight to the best fighter in the world,” Benavidez said. “This is boxing. It happens. He is a great fighter, but I’m a great fighter, too. We gave the fans a great show.”
“My granddad told me the right hook was open, and I capitalized on it,” Stevenson said. “I want {former world champion} Lee Selby next. I feel like I’ve been calling him out forever.”
* Adames scored three knockdowns in the second round
Adames said: “I feel very good in the 154-pound division. I trained hard for this fight, and I did what I had to do. I took out a good opponent in two rounds. I know I’m ready for bigger fights. I want to give a world title to my country. I want to face the best and represent the Dominican Republic with great pride.”
Vacant NABF Super Featherweight Title: Mikaela Mayer (8-0, 4 KOs), unanimous decision, eight rounds, Vanessa Bradford (4-1-2, 0 KOs). Scores: 80-71 3X.
Mayer said: “It was great going eight rounds for the first time. I felt like I could go 15 in there tonight. Ten rounds will be no problem.”
Light Heavyweights: Steve Nelson (12-0 10 KOs), TKO4, Oscar Riojas (17-11-1, 6 KOs).
Nelson said: “I felt good showing up for the hometown fans. My coach and I were talking. I had to stop fooling around and get him out of there.”
Welterweights: Mike Alvarado (40-4, 28 KOs), KO2, Robbie Cannon (16-14-3, 7 KOs).
Alvarado said: “It was great to be on this stage again. I felt really comfortable in there with my reconstructed team. I did it again. I’m back. I’m ready for the top level again. It took me some time to get here, but I’m back.”
Lightweights: Ismail Muwendo (20-1, 12 KOs), unanimous decision, 6 rounds, Andrew Wilson (15-12-1, 12 KOs). Scores: 59-55 3X.
Super Featherweights: Jose Valenzuela (2-0, 0 KOs), unanimous decision, 4 rounds, Hugo Rodriguez (1-1, 1 KO). Scores: 40-33 2X, 40-35.
Welterweights: Keeshawn Williams (4-0-1, 1 KO), unanimous decision, 4 rounds, Ramel Snegur (2-3-1, 1 KO). Scores: 40-36 2X, 39-37.
TOP RANK
Evan Korn: 516-510-6014 / [email protected]
Gardy López: 787-246-3668 / [email protected]
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Santa Brito: 646-547-5602 / [email protected]
Ardi Dwornik: 646-547-5612 / [email protected]
