• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

April 19, 2015 Queens NY  One fighter was moving up in weight.  The other fighter was moving down.  The fighter moving up in weight “upped” his record.  The fighter moving down in weight was put down–and out.  Terrence Crawford improved his record to 26-0, 18 KOs, as he defeated Thomas Durlome, 22-2, 14 KOs, by sixth round stoppage in Arlington, Texas.  For Terrence Crawford, this fight cemented his status as a full-fledged junior welterweight/welterweight contender.

Durlome established himself as the aggressor beginning in round one, throwing long straight right hands that for the most part missed, but sent a message to Terrence Crawford that he better be careful.  Crawford remained cool, established his jab which slowed Durlome’s attack.  The second round had more of the same action with Durlome throwing long lunging punches that landed on Crawford’s gloves, and Crawford answering back with jabs.

Before one minute had elapsed in the third round, the fighters got into a furious exchange where Crawford landed the cleaner punches.  It was the first time that Crawford punched with the proverbial, “bad intentions.”  Rounds four and five featured more of the same sniping by both fighters with each one having moments but with very few hard punches landing.

The sixth round (which turned out to be the last round) is when Crawford brought out the fire power.  It began with a one-two, left jab and right cross combination that staggered Durlome.  Crawford charged immediately and threw a right and left-hook combination that put Durlome on the canvas.  Durlome beat the count, and Crawford pressed the attack.  He backed Durlome into the corner and landed several lead right hands, and Durlome went down from the onslaught.  Durlome got up on unsteady legs and referee Rafael Ramos looked at him closely.  Crawford landed a hard left hook to the body from short range and  continued to throw a bevy of punches.  A vicious hook to Durlome’s body and a chopping left to his head put him down for the third and final time with a little over a minute left in the round.

In the post fight interview, Crawford was asked by Max Kellerman how would he (Crawford) describe his style.  “Versatile, I feel I can do whatever.”  Regarding how Crawford handled and felt fighting at the heavier weight, “I felt stronger, I felt stronger,” he said repeating himself without hesitation.

This fight put Crawford in the very competitive junior welterweight and even welterweight mix.  Who wouldn’t want to see him fight Danny Garcia, Lucas Matthyse, Ruslan Provodnikov, Pacquiao, Mayweather,  et al?  It also means the proud Omaha native is in line for the big purse money as well.  The fight was broadcast on HBO as part of a big junior welterweight card and was going up against Showtime’s boxing card that featured Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in the main event.

Even though this was only Durlome’s second defeat in his professional career, he is somewhat at a crossroads.  He probably needs to fight against some very beatable opponents before facing a top contender at either junior welterweight or welterweight.  Crawford should look to fight a respected contender before fighting for a title.  Crawford is clearly on the way up, not just in size, but in terms of success.

Professor Clifford Benton can be reached at cliffb@puresportsny.com

 

By Vernon McKenzie

Graduate of New Institute Of Technology with a BA in Communications with a focus on Television Radio. Owner and Executive Producer of PureSportsNY

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