Two of the best fighters in the world faced off after years of waiting. Instead of a technical classic, it was a one-sided performance by Terence Crawford over Errol Spence Jr. to become the undisputed welterweight champion.
Crawford, who is now a two-division undisputed champion, dropped Spence three times, twice in the seventh round. The fight ended in the ninth round as the referee saw enough. “Bud” has held the WBO welterweight title since 2018, and has taken the WBC, WBO, and IBF titles from Spence.
Looking good in the first round Spence appeared ready for a long fight. However, it was all-Crawford after, as he would not stop his attack. Per Showtime Stats and CompuBox, Crawford landed 185 of 369 shots (60%) compared to 96 of 480 (20%) for Spence.
It was an A-List performance by Crawford in front of an A-List crowd. Boxers, celebrities, and powerful figures were at the fight. On social media, there was plenty of moments to talk about, including the idea that Derrick James could have stopped the fight early for Spence.
The Sporting News compiled reactions to the fight, highlighting discussions about the competitors and the dominant performance by Crawford.
Not sayin always right, but tonight I knew I was right. Crawford is different! #SpenceCrawford
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) July 30, 2023
Speed is the difference
— Franchón Crews-Dezurn (@TheHHDiva) July 30, 2023
🤔 someone can’t block a jab
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) July 30, 2023
Crawford by TKO. I expected a decision win by him. I did NOT expect an absolute ass-whipping! @terencecrawford destroyed @ErrolSpenceJr. I take no pleasure in saying that. Love’em both. But it’s just the truth. Haven’t seen this kind of whipping since Trinidad destroyed Joppy.…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 30, 2023
Congrats @terencecrawford you are a fucking great fighter well deserve 👊🏻🙏🏻
— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) July 30, 2023
Terence Crawford DEMOLISHED one of the most quality fighters in this division's history FROM HIS SECOND-BEST STANCE.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) July 30, 2023
That was a religious experience. Indescribable.
There's a new P4P king in boxing. #SpenceCrawford
— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) July 30, 2023
Why didn’t Derrick stop the fight.. Errol is gonna get hurt I don’t wanna see him take any more punishment
— Vergil Ortiz Jr. (@VergilOrtiz) July 30, 2023
#SpenceCrawford pic.twitter.com/zhUEADJzmV
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) July 30, 2023
We all know now why Bud was “on the wrong side of the street.” Credit to Spence, still a great champion.
— Evan Korn (@KornerMan44) July 30, 2023
Crawford is probably the most composed and accurate, boxer puncher in history! Fucking incredible what he did tonight! #CrawfordSpence
— Sergio Mora 🐍 (@TheLatinSnake_) July 30, 2023
This is why Bud kept saying that he doesn’t know if this is the toughest fight of his career until he steps in there…and quite frankly, it didn’t look like it 🤷🏼♀️
— Crystina Poncher (@CrystinaPoncher) July 30, 2023
Talk about being the complete ‘package’, well Crawford is the entire ‘Store’. Macy’s, Walmart, Target. Costco. #SpenceCrawford
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) July 30, 2023
Spence don’t look the same.
— Danny 'Swift' Garcia (@DannySwift) July 30, 2023
Im so happy two young black men made lives for themselves and set the bar high by daring to be great. So much love to @terencecrawford & @ErrolSpenceJr ❤️ Both champions in my book
— Franchón Crews-Dezurn (@TheHHDiva) July 30, 2023