Antwone Smith Stops Henry Crawford After Nine Rounds

By Mark Vester

At the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Oklahoma, welterweight Antwone Smith (17-1, 9KOs) stopped previously undefeated Henry Crawford (22-1-1, 9KOs) after nine rounds of action.

The first round was close. Crawford got off with the better combinations, using his quicker hands to land some quick shots. In the second, Crawford was landing some very fast combinations from various angles. Smith came on strong in the third, staging a rally in the final minute by keeping a close distance and landing combos. There was a clash of heads in the third which caused a huge welt above the left eye of Smith. Crawford came right back in the fourth, landing some quick combinations to the head and body. Smith managed to buckle Crawford with a big bodyshot in the final minute.

The fifth round was close. Crawford got off with good combinations and Smith was able to get in some good counters. The sixth round was a complete wipeout. Smith clipped Crawford and buzzed him real bad. A few more punches sent Crawford down. For the rest of the round, Smith battered Crawford with punches all over the ring. In what can only be seen as a miracle, Crawford was able to last the round. He was on the move in the seventh. Smith was chasing and trying to land something big to finish him off. Crawford used the round to stay away and collect himself.

The eight round was close. Crawford was able to stay away, box from the distance and land counters as Smith pressured forward. Crawford did well in the ninth but in the final ten seconds a huge right hand from Smith sent Crawford down on his back. He barely made it up. Smith wasn't able to stop him as the bell sounded once Crawford made it up. Crawford was out on his feet as he sat in the corner and his trainer stopped the fight before the start of the tenth.