Terence Crawford scores one punch knockout over gutsy David Avanesyan

WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford scored a one-punch knocked over gutsy David Avanesyan Saturday night at CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

In round one, Crawford, fighting for the first time in over a year, circled to his left and jabbed. Avanesyan applied pressure. Seconds later, he connected with a good right. Crawford switched to southpaw halfway thru the round and connected with a combination. Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) used his now right jab as a range finder.

No frills Avanesyan (29-4, 17 KOs) stayed closed and tried to figure out ways to get to Crawford in round two. Crawford,35, stayed patient and poked and probed with his right jab. He fired an uppercut. Avanesyan went to the body. He scored with a right. Crawford used angles in round three. Avanesyan landed two left hands. Crawford jabbed to the body and landed several belly punches.

Crawford got off first in round four – though Avanesyan, 34, was making him work for everything. Avanesyan landed two right hands on the chin. Crawford scored with a sneaky right. Avanesyan worked downstairs and up. Crawford returned the favor. In round five, Crawford fired combinations to the body and head. Avanesyan bobbed and weaved and connected with a left. Crawford scored with slick uppercuts. Avanesyan fought back.

Crawford again got off first in round six. His right jab was on point. Avanesyan pressed. Crawford kept him at bay. He let fly with several shots that landed. Avanesyan backed up. Crawford connected with a big uppercut.

With less than a minute to go in the stanza, a huge right hand deposited Avanesyan on his back.

The fight was over.

The knockout was the tenth in succession for Crawford.