Terence Crawford remains undefeated in victory over Hank Lundy

(Photo by Lauren Guillen – Double G Media)

The Theater at Madison Square Garden – Tensions were high in front of a sold-out audience of over 5,000 spectators when junior welterweight world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford defeated opponent “Hammerin” Hank Lundy to score a fifth-round TKO in his New York City debut on Saturday night. The punishing win brings Crawford’s record to an impressive 28-0, 20 KO and moves Lundy down to 26-6-1.

Prior to the match, fans of Crawford were shocked to see and uncharacteristic-like loss of self-control for the WBO junior welterweight champion when he shoved Lundy off of the stage during the final stare-down on Thursday night.

Lundy responded after the incident by saying “I’m in his head. I’m in his whole team’s head.”

However the victor, whose fan base certainly made their presence known with boisterous and sporadic “Crawford, Crawford” chants through the five rounds, used the tension to fuel his fire.

The two opponents looked evenly matched for the first few rounds although ultimately the win came after Crawford was able to land 89 of 247 punches (36%), compared to 47 of 411 for Lundy (22%). The jab was a particularly effective weapon for Crawford. He landed eight per round which is more than double the average for his weight class.

When asked why he allowed Lundy to hit him so much in the first few rounds, Crawford responded by saying, “Cause they are earlier rounds and we are feeling each other out.  Once I make the adjustment I start touching him more.”

He added, “I told everyone I got power in both hands and the boxing ability that I have and it’s going to take me a long way in this game.”

Crawford picked up speed and began to take command in the fourth round as he became more effective in his distance and timing management. His right jab was also a clear and dominating force in the victory.

In the end, those hands are what took Lundy down. With just over two and a half minutes left in the fifth bout, Crawford backed Lundy into a corner and delivered a thunderstorm of punches. Referee Steve Willis was forced to jump in and stop the bout at 2 minutes and 9 seconds.

“I said he was going to respect me at the end of the fight and he was going to respect me today and I respect him back.  He said good fight it’s all love and I appreciate it,” Crawford told reporters following the win.

Crawford, a prospect for the fight on April 9 against Manny Pacquiao, is the former lightweight world champion who moved up in weight class last year. Although Pacquio elected to fight Timothy Bradley instead, when speaking of his future in the ring Crawford was confident in saying, “I never duck anyone and I’ll fight anybody. My manager will make the fights happen and I will train and fight.”

It was evident to anyone watching the fight that Crawford is a force to be reckoned with and his latest victory was proof of that once again.