Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter: Dad scorches son in ultimate boxing betrayal

Boxing machine Terence Crawford biggest ever victory has been overshadowed by the actions of his opponent’s out-of-control- father.

Shawn Porter's own dad sold him out. Photo: Main Event, Kayo.

Terence Crawford has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time with a dramatic victory over a brave Shawn Porter.

But the historic victory has been overshadowed by the bizarre actions of Porter’s out-of-control father.

The fight ended in spectacular fashion just moments after it appeared Porter was a very real chance of one of the biggest upsets in recent memory in the blockbuster fight at Mandalay Bay casino in Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon (AEDT).

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The judges’ cards were very close as the fight entered the 10th round before Crawford exploded with punches that dropped his opponent twice in the space of 90 seconds.

It means Crawford has defended his WBO welterweight belt for a staggering fifth time and has silenced his critics for good with the biggest win of his career.

Shawn Porter smiles through the moment his dad criticises him. Photo: Kayo, Main Event.

The 34-year-old Crawford won the fight when Porter’s dad and trainer tossed in the towel before their fighter had a chance to recover from his second knock down.

Porter had a stunned expression on his face as it dawned on him that his team had stopped the contest without even consulting with him.

Crawford seized his moment like all the great champions do when he landed a powerful uppercut that put Porter on his backside.

Terence Crawford knocks Shawn Porter down for the first time. Photo: Main Event, Kayo.

One minute later Crawford had set up a brilliant right hand hook after a double step-back. The hook crunched across Porter’s cheek and sent him crashing onto the floor.

While Porter got back to his feet relatively quickly, his dad Kenny Porter had already thrown in the towel before his fighter even had a chance to show he was still in the fight.

Shawn Porter said after the fight he was still able to continue.

“I didn’t expect that,” he said when interviewed inside the ring about his dad’s stoppage.

Shawn Porter looks towards his dad and is upset at the stoppage. Photo: Main Event, Kayo.

The punch that ended the fight. Photo: Main Event, Kayo.

His dad’s betrayal went to another level when the microphone was put in front of him.

Kenny Porter scorched his own son’s preparation for the fight and threw him under the bus in front of a global television audience.

He said poor conditioning was the reason he stopped the fight.

“Honestly, his preparation,” Kenny said of why he stopped the fight.

pic.twitter.com/jNFkasq3Vk

— Dana White (@clips2021) November 21, 2021

“He didn’t prepare like I wanted him to prepare. That just makes me say I don’t want him in that situation.

“Shawn was hurt and moving forward, this guy is a sharp fighter and my kid is at a deficit and couldn’t defend himself. I had to protect him.”

He said it was like his son was “fighting blindfolded” as a result of his poor preparation, suggesting his advice had not been listened to.

He also said it was an “easy” decision to make.

The crowd briefly booed at the moment Kenny Porter slammed his son, while Shawn continued to stand shoulder to shoulder with his father as the verbal barbs continued to fly.

Boxing commentators could not believe Kenny Porter’s behaviour.

Wow Kenny, this sounds spiteful.

— Blonde Bomber 🥊💁🏼‍♀️ (@EbanieBridges) November 21, 2021

If I was Shawn I wouldn’t pay my daddy lol

— Errol Spence (@ErrolSpenceJr) November 21, 2021

Shawn POrter, however, was nothing but absolute class as he paid respect to Crawford, describing the 34-year-old as the best he has ever come against.

The judges scorecards showed how Porter was still very much in the fight as the contest headed into the championship rounds. Two judges awarding him four rounds across the first nine rounds of the fight.

Terence Crawford was ahead on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage: 86-85, 87-84 and 86-85. I had it 86-85 as well #CrawfordPorterpic.twitter.com/O2HAq6IPM9

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) November 21, 2021

The contest was officiallt stopped 1:21 into the 10th round.

In another bombshell development that followed the fight, Porter, 34, told reporters in the dressing room he has decided to retire.

Round by updates for Crawford-Porter

Round 1 — Porter advances with an aggressive flurry as soon as the bell sounds. Crawford is forced onto the ropes. A tentative Crawford is just studying his opponent.

Round 2 — A huge round where both fighters landed sweet jabs on the inside. Porter was tagged twice coming in, but also landed at least one swinging hook. The judges should have the fight 19-19.

Round 3 — Porter and Crawford both land shots. A bad, bloody cut has opened up on the right eye of Porter, but it is the result of a headbutt. Porter falls over, but it is not scored as a knockdown.

Shawn Porter into the ropes. Photo: Main Event, Kayo.

Round 4 — Crawford has begun to win the exchanges with his counter-punching. Porter is still sneaking some shots through as he comes forward. The judges should have the fight 38-38 after four rounds. Porter is given a nudge by Crawford and falls into the ropes. “Man, that was intense,” Top Rank boxing commentator Bernardo Osuna says.

Round 5 — An even round where Crawford landed a few more clean shots.

Round 6 — Another even round where Porter begins to land some good body shots. Crawford is left with a bloody cut on his face after a second accidental clash of heads. The judges should have the score Crawford 58-56.

Round 7 — Porter is continuing to be the more active fighter and gets some reward with a big right hand mid-way through the round. It is a clear round to Porter in a very even fight.

Round 8 — Crawford lands several shots to the head in a flurry to start the round. However, Porter lands the best punch of the round before Crawford responds with a clean jab of his own. The fight could very easily be even at 76-76 after eight rounds.

Round 9 — Porter is finding success with his jab and the combinations that have followed. Porter is likely ahead.

Round 10 — The big moment has arrived. Crawford has scored the first knockdown of the fight with a shot that leaves Porter flat on his butt. A second knockdown results in Porter’s corner throwing in the towel in insane drama.

Terence Crawford is defending his belt for a fifth time. Pic Peter Wallis.

Why Crawford failed to win the world over — before now

Through little fault of his own, fights against the welterweight division’s best fighters — Errol Spence, Keith Thurman and Manny Pacquiao — had remained elusive for Crawford.

One of his most notable victories was a demolition of Australian Jeff Horn in 2018.

The challenge Porter represented was reflected in the pay purses for the fight.

According to ESPN earlier this year, the fighters’ camps had agreed to a 60-40 split in Crawford’s favour. It is a result that is expected to see Crawford walk away with $8.3 million with Porter to pocket more than $5.5 million in a purse of $14 million.

At the start of Sunday’s Top Rank broadcast of the event, commentator Bernado Osuna described the fight as “legacy defining” for Crawford.

ESPN’s Mark Kriegel said the fight will decide if Crawford is “the king of the division and an all-time great”.

It is impossible to argue against that now.

Originally published as Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter: Dad scorches son in ultimate boxing betrayal