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Fight Night In Las Vegas

 I hadn't seen a championship boxing match in some time. That is, a live fight. The first warm-up fight was between two small guys at 114 pounds. It ended with controversy, as cuts forced a no-decision after four rounds.

The next fight with between a current and former champion, both at 147 pounds. This is the division dominated by Oscar De La Hoya for so long. Terence Crawford is regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and the champion in this division, by the World Boxing Organization (WBO). His record coming in was 36-0, with 27 knockouts. His title was on the line against Kell Brook of Sheffield, England, who came in with a record of 39-2, with 27 knockouts. It looked like Crawford was a little confused to start the fight. He came out in a right-handed stance, and Brook hit him with several jabs. Evidently, Crawford saw a slow jab from Brook in the fourth round, because he timed a straight right over the top of it, and that was the beginning of the end. Three punches, and it was all over.

Crawford reportedly will fight Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO) one of the greatest and most popular fighters in the history of boxing, next year. He is also a senator in the Philippines, so that will be some interesting scheduling. I can definitely see why mixed martial arts is becoming popular as an alternative. In MMA, the best fights get made. Rivalries and financial disputes keep the various boxing organizations and promoters at each other's throats, instead of the skill in the sport fighting one another in the ring. Even so, I still much prefer boxing. And it was good to see it again, on a big stage, even during a pandemic.

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