Boxing has never been short on drama, but the latest storm erupted not inside the ropes, rather in the aftermath of Terence Crawford’s most recent fight. When the judges declared Crawford the winner by decision, the reactions weren’t just divided — they were explosive. Leading the charge was renowned promoter Eddie Hearn, who delivered a scathing attack on the scoring, calling it “a robbery” and “a disgrace to the sport.”
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A Decision That Stunned Fans
The bout itself was closely contested. Crawford, known for his slick counter-punching and ring intelligence, was expected to dominate. Instead, his opponent pressed the action, landed heavy combinations, and appeared to outwork him in several critical rounds. Many ringside observers and fans online believed Crawford had been pushed to the limit — and possibly beaten.
But when the scorecards were read, Crawford’s hand was raised. The arena buzzed with confusion. Social media erupted with outrage. And Eddie Hearn wasted no time in voicing what many were already thinking.
Hearn’s Furious Response
“They robbed him!” Hearn declared in an interview immediately following the fight. His words were sharp, his tone fiery. “How can you give those rounds to Crawford? His opponent was the one landing the cleaner shots, the one pressing the fight. This is exactly why fans are losing faith in boxing — decisions like this.”
Hearn went further, accusing the judges of being swayed by Crawford’s reputation as one of the pound-for-pound kings of the sport. “You can’t win rounds just because your name is Terence Crawford. Boxing doesn’t work that way — or at least it shouldn’t.”
A Familiar Problem in Boxing
This wasn’t the first time questionable judging stole headlines. From Gennady Golovkin’s first fight with Canelo Alvarez to Manny Pacquiao’s infamous loss to Timothy Bradley, the sport has a history of controversies that cast shadows over otherwise thrilling contests. Each time, the uproar reignites the same debate: is boxing doing enough to ensure fair judging?
Hearn’s outburst tapped into that frustration. “We work so hard to make these big fights, to give fans what they deserve,” he said. “And then it all gets undermined by scorecards that make no sense. Tonight, the wrong man was given the victory, and everyone knows it.”
The Aftermath
In the days that followed, the conversation has been relentless. Fans have dissected the fight round by round, posting slow-motion clips and punch statistics to support their claims. Some insist Crawford did enough with his precision shots and defense. Others argue the challenger’s aggression should have swayed the judges.
Regardless of which side fans take, one thing is undeniable: controversy sells. The backlash has only intensified the spotlight on Crawford, while fueling demands for a rematch that could generate even more interest than the original bout.
The Verdict
Whether you agree with Eddie Hearn or not, his words captured the emotions of millions of fans who left the fight feeling unsettled. Was it robbery? Was it simply the subjectivity of boxing? The truth may never be unanimous, but one thing is certain: this decision will be talked about for years to come.
In boxing, every punch tells a story. This time, it wasn’t the punches but the scorecards that wrote the final chapter — one that left the world divided, and Eddie Hearn shouting the words many were thinking:
“They robbed him!”
The Night Efe Ajagba Shook the Boxing World with One Punch
On May 26, 2018, under the bright lights of the arena, two men stepped into the ring carrying very different stories. One was
Efe Ajagba, the towering Nigerian heavyweight with a reputation for raw power and frightening precision. The other was Dell Long, a seasoned fighter from West Virginia, toughened by years of ring wars. Few in the crowd that night could have imagined how short — and unforgettable — their encounter would be.
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A Tense Opening
From the first bell, there was tension in the air. Ajagba, standing tall at 6’6”, moved with the calm confidence of a man who knew his fists could end the night at any second. Long, smaller but wiry and resilient, kept his guard high and circled cautiously. Commentators noted the size difference, the reach advantage, and the dangerous silence in Ajagba’s demeanor. It was the kind of silence that always comes before a storm.
The Punch Heard Around the Arena
The storm arrived just seconds later. Ajagba threw a jab to test the distance, then immediately followed with a thunderous right hand. It was so sudden, so brutally clean, that the audience needed a moment to process what had happened. Dell Long collapsed to the canvas, his body stiff before he even hit the floor. Gasps filled the arena. In less than a minute, the fight was over.
The referee didn’t bother with a long count. Doctors rushed in, checking Long as Ajagba stood in the neutral corner, barely breaking a sweat. One punch — just one — had ended the contest. The official time:
35 seconds of the very first round.
The Aftermath
The crowd buzzed with disbelief. How could a fight be over so quickly? Some fans cheered Ajagba’s devastating power, others worried for Long, who thankfully recovered with medical staff nearby. But no one could deny they had just witnessed something extraordinary — a display of raw force that reminded everyone why heavyweight boxing is unlike any other sport.
Reporters scrambled to put the moment into words, calling it “a statement,” “a warning,” and even “a prophecy.” For Ajagba, it was more than just a win. It was a declaration that a new force had arrived, one capable of changing the landscape of heavyweight boxing. For Long, it was a brutal reminder of the risks every fighter accepts when they step between the ropes.
A Memory That Lingers
Years later, fans still revisit the clip online — the speed, the timing, the shocking finality of it all. It’s a knockout that doesn’t fade with time. Instead, it grows, retold in gyms, replayed on highlight reels, and remembered as the night
Efe Ajagba announced himself to the world with a single, unforgettable punch.
The blow was so strong it silenced the crowd, so final it felt like boxing itself had paused for a heartbeat. And even now, one question lingers for anyone who sees it:
If Ajagba can do this in 35 seconds, what else is he capable of?
