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The fight between Terence “Bud“ Crawford and José Benavidez Jr. took place on October 13, 2018, at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. This bout was significant for several reasons, including the intense buildup fueled by personal animosity between the two fighters and the fact that it was Crawford's first title defense of the WBO welterweight championship. Crawford, a highly skilled and undefeated champion, was facing a tough challenge in Benavidez, a fighter known for his resilience and power. Background Terence Crawford entered the fight with a perfect record of 33-0 and was widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He had already established himself as a three-division world champion and had just moved up to welterweight, capturing the WBO title by defeating Jeff Horn in June 2018. Known for his ability to switch stances seamlessly and his ring IQ, Crawford was a formidable opponent for anyone in the division. José Benavidez Jr., with a record of 27-0, was an undefeated challenger who had overcome significant adversity in his career, including a near-fatal shooting in 2016 that left him with a bullet lodged in his leg. Despite this setback, Benavidez returned to the ring and worked his way up to earn a shot at Crawford’s title. Benavidez, a tall and rangy fighter with power in both hands, believed he had the tools to dethrone Crawford and was not shy about expressing his confidence during the lead-up to the fight. The pre-fight buildup was marked by tension and hostility. Benavidez repeatedly taunted Crawford, questioning his abilities and accusing him of avoiding tough competition. The animosity between the two boiled over during the weigh-in, where a heated exchange nearly led to a physical altercation. This bad blood added an extra layer of intrigue to the fight, with fans eager to see how the drama would play out in the ring. The Fight From the opening bell, it was clear that Terence Crawford had a strategic plan to neutralize Benavidez's height and reach advantage. Crawford, who started the fight in an orthodox stance, used his superior footwork and speed to control the distance and pace of the fight. He relied heavily on his jab to keep Benavidez at bay and frequently switched to a southpaw stance to create angles and confuse his opponent. Benavidez, for his part, tried to impose his size and reach on Crawford, looking to land powerful counterpunches whenever Crawford moved in. However, Crawford’s defense and ring generalship made it difficult for Benavidez to find any consistent success. Crawford's head movement and quick reflexes allowed him to evade many of Benavidez's attempts, while he continued to land sharp, accurate punches in return. As the fight progressed, Crawford began to take control more decisively. He targeted Benavidez's body with crisp combinations, which slowed down the challenger and opened up opportunities for more head shots. Crawford's ability to switch stances and his varied attack made it difficult for Benavidez to anticipate what was coming next. Benavidez had some moments of success, particularly in the middle rounds, where he managed to land a few clean shots that momentarily disrupted Crawford's rhythm. However, Crawford's superior conditioning and ring IQ allowed him to quickly adjust and regain control. As the rounds wore on, it became increasingly clear that Crawford was pulling ahead on the scorecards, systematically breaking down Benavidez. The Knockout In the 12th and final round, Crawford put an exclamation point on his dominant performance. With just 18 seconds remaining in the fight, he landed a powerful right uppercut that sent Benavidez crashing to the canvas. Benavidez, visibly hurt, struggled to get back on his feet, and although he managed to beat the count, Crawford immediately pounced on him, unleashing a flurry of punches that forced the referee to step in and stop the fight. The victory was recorded as a technical knockout (TKO), and Crawford successfully defended his WBO welterweight title in dramatic fashion. Post-Fight Reactions Crawford's performance was widely praised by fans and analysts alike. He showcased his full arsenal of skills, from his defensive prowess to his ability to deliver a knockout punch late in the fight. The victory further cemented Crawford's status as one of the best fighters in the world and a dominant force in the welterweight division. Benavidez, despite the loss, was commended for his toughness and determination. The fact that he was able to compete at a high level after recovering from a serious injury was seen as a testament to his resilience. However, Crawford’s superior skill set proved to be too much for Benavidez to overcome.
