Crawford spent the first 3-4 rounds doing what many of us in front of the television or in the stands were doing: spectating. Gamboa was content to land lightning fast right hands to the head and body of Crawford, especially when Crawford first turned southpaw. In a very similar way that fellow rising star Mike Garcia goes about his fights, Crawford, Omaha, Nebraska, took his time studying his new opponent, and like Garcia, he didn't waste time using his observations.
Gamboa was lured into a trap in round five after confidently winning most of the previous rounds, and was dropped by well placed counters. Crawford would follow up with looping shots to the body that would pay off later in the fight, and successfully used his southpaw right jab to tag Gamboa, Miami, Florida via Guantanamo, Cuba, when Gamboa held his left hand low. Whenever he was hit with a good punch Crawford showed maturity, and effectively used survival tactics like clenching to clear his head. A now desperate Yuriorkis Gamboa was throwing haymakers in an attempt to turn the tide of the fight in his favor. Crawford kept his composure, and made Gamboa, 23-1 (16), pay for his recklessness by dropping him again in the eighth. Crawford went out and finished the job in the ninth, sending a wobbly Gamboa to the canvas two more times. The referee, Genaro Rodriguez, had seen him go down too many times and stopped the fight.
Terence Crawford, now 24-0 with 17 knockouts, passed all the tests put in front of him. He adjusted to a fighter that was faster than him, and showed that he is just as effective as a southpaw as he is in an orthodox stance. His chin is not fully tested yet, but it held up against a strong puncher. If there is one thing that his promoter will find most interesting is Crawford's drawing power. Roughly 10,000 supporters came out to see him fight, and I am sure they will be coming back the next time he fights there. He may not be as outspoken or attention demanding as some fellow prospects, but with his quiet confidence and his fists he will go far.