Jeff Horn’s reign as WBO welterweight champion has come to a crashing end at the hands of Terence Crawford, who claimed the belt with an utterly dominant display on Sunday (AEST) in Las Vegas.
Crawford was a class above from start to finish, totally overwhelming Horn to hand the Australian a comprehensive defeat – his first in 20 professional fights – with a ninth-round technical knockout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Referee Robert Byrd stopped the fight with 27 seconds to go in the ninth, intervening as Horn withstood an absolute battering from Crawford.
Crawford was making his debut at the welterweight limit and now has world titles in three different divisions, putting him in elite company with Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather and Oscar de la Hoya.
Horn, a former schoolteacher, was found wanting in his first fight outside of Australia or New Zealand.
As soon it began it was apparent there was a major gulf in quality between the pair.
Horn, who had blown out to 70kg by the time he entered the ring, never looked comfortable.
He walked into too way many hits from Crawford, who clinically picked him off and took total control of proceedings.
It quickly became apparent Horn would need a knockout to win but Crawford’s defence was superb, starving him of opportunities and using his superior reach to strike from long range.
Crawford went on a rampage in the eighth round, rocking Horn with the last punch just before the bell but had to wait to finish the job.
Referee Byrd asked Horn to “show me something” in the ninth, but he had nothing left to give.
Crawford promptly knocked him down, and while Horn recovered and withstood the count, he left Byrd with no choice but to call it off.
Horn heard massive boos from the 8,112 in attendance in Las Vegas as legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer introduced him.
The fight had all the customary glitz and glamour that comes with boxing in Las Vegas with celebrities like Lady Gaga, actors Mark Wahlberg and Chadwick Boseman, rapper Rick Ross and a handful of NFL and NBA players watching from ringside.
Paul
Guest
My concern for Horn is his trainer Rushton To say that he could have gone at least a couple of rounds more after the stoppage OMG The man was outclassed already 26 stiches to contend with what is Rushton on seriously. Rushton has money cant see Horn looking for a new trainer but big concerns for the fella...take the easy money fight mudane Mundine and retire with your family your a tough fighter but enjoy your retirement.
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
hi Matt, Fenech only fought twice outside of Australia and only one fight was for a world title, the first fight with Nelson, so I would not count him as a success outside Australia. Harding had a three fights in the states winning two, one in Britain and two in France wining all three, so on an international scale, Harding did far better than Fenech. Johnny Famechon had a number of fights overseas and won all but one. Lionel Rose also well in the states and Japan, but no of them even come close to Tszyu's international success.
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
Would not be much of a career if he fights Mundine and retires Eddie, would think that he would stick around for at least 4 to 5 years yet. Mundine, Green and Soliman all in their 40's and still fighting, probably shouldn't be though.
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
who said he was? there is no surprise that Horn lost to Crawford, Crawford is being billed as the next Sugar Ray Leonard or Mayweather. He is the elite of the elite and Horn is not at that level. I also heard that someone compared Horn v Crawford to Hatton v Mayweather, the classic battler puncher v boxer. The boxer will win everytime. Horn could be viewed as the next Ricky Hatton, nothing wrong with that he was a multi time champ.
Rabbits
Guest
Crawford is no joke.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Jeff Fenech and and Jeff Harding are the only ones that spring to mind since the 80's.
Tom G
Guest
Horn was really lucky to get the decision against Pacquiao in the first place. A decision that most outside of Australia didn’t agree with. The guy is an honest toiler at best. This was always going to be a mismatch
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
For the good guy awards?
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
I'm hoping he fights Mundine and then done. Few mil from this fight, few more from that, retire. Deserves a good end to his career as he seems like a top bloke.
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
that is a fair comment Matt H, Horn is a good boxer just not a great one, like most aussies that take on the superstars of boxing they mostly end up failing. Name me one boxer besides Kostya Tszyu to have any real success in America or outside Australia for that matter. Aussie should just stay away from the American fighters, very rarely do we actually beat them.
Matt H
Roar Guru
There is no shame in going 9 rounds with Crawford. Horn was trying hard but he is a good boxer taking on a great one.
Julz
Guest
When you get beaten by a real boxer in his prime.lol. The Jeff Horn hype train is all but done.
me too
Guest
Crawford is one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world. Horn is a big hearted trier who took his shot at fame. He had the belt so got the fight. It happens. Not in the same class though. Best hope for the immediate future is a rematch against the pacman before he becomes yesterdays news.
paulywalnuts
Guest
That was a rancid mismatch. Leave it to boxing...
At.johnson@hotmail.com
Guest
Well said Paulo
Paulo
Roar Rookie
He may have been a Class above in the ring, but I think most would agree a class below outside. Well done Horn, did yourself and your country proud. Next time, make them come to you.