HBO Boxing free fight video: Terence Crawford vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa

Terence Crawford (28-0, 20 KOs) will unify his WBO junior welterweight (140 lbs) title with WBC titlist Viktor Postol (28-0, 12 KOs) in the main event of HBO PPV boxing on Saturday, July 23rd. You needn't worry about the fight clashing with UFC on FOX, as those two will likely enter the ring about 90 minutes after the UFC is over.

Today's free fight video, which you can view at the top of the page, gives you a look back at Crawford's WBO lightweight (135 lbs) defense against Cuban puncher Yuriorkis Gamboa, in what was one of the best fights of 2014. The HBO-televised event originated from Crawford's hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, and the arena was sold out. HBO actually had Gamboa winning the first 4 rounds, with Crawford having to adjust to Gamboa's speed and punching power. The tide turned in a major way when a huge countershot had Gamboa in stanky leg mode, then down with a left hand. Gamboa would not back down, even as Crawford took over the fight, and the end of round 8 saw Gamboa down again. Crawford sought to finish it right there, but Gamboa slugged back in this epic contest.

Round 9 was Gamboa's last stand, and he had Crawford considerably hurt. Crawford spent much of the round holding and trying to clear the cobwebs. The war raged on, and Crawford drilled Gamboa with a monstrous left that sent the Cuban to the canvas for a 3rd time. It was haymaker time once again, and Crawford finished Gamboa with a huge right just seconds before the 9th concluded.

This was an awesome fight. If you don't have 40 minutes on you, watch rounds 5-9 at the very least.

Here's how Bad Left Hook (SBN's boxing blog) reacted to the final two knockdowns of an extraordinary fight.