Terence Crawford didn’t simply make it to the top of virtually everyone’s pound-for-pound list by using just his physical traits alone. Of course, the speed, quickness, timing, and his overall boxing ability matters but it’s what’s in between Crawford’s ears that’s seemingly his best weapon. (photo by Ryan Hafey)

On July 29th, Crawford’s brain went into overdrive as he took on Errol Spence Jr. Despite believing wholeheartedly that he would pick up the win, the Omaha, Nebraska, native knew good and well that he needed to be on his A game.

The crowd remained standing even after the opening bell rang. Like he’s done before, Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) was patient. He sat back, collected the necessary data, and began figuring his man out. In the end, it all worked in his favor. Spence, in short order, was pummeled for nine consecutive rounds before referee Harvey Dock mercifully stepped in.

Although he has the right to gasconade over his performance, Crawford won’t act as though he knew beforehand that he could stop Spence dead in his tracks. He did, however, have a good feeling early on that it was going to be his night.

“I didn’t feel as if I was gonna knock him out,” Crawford told Fox Sports Radio. “But in the first round, I got more confident as we felt each other out.”

In years past, Crawford’s processor moved slower than usual. But while he normally takes a few rounds to get comfortable in the ring, against Spence, he saw everything clearly and quickly.

While his success was minimal, there were times when Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) landed big-time shots right on the chin of the newly crowned undisputed champ. Crawford, by no means, wanted his jaw to be used as target practice. Ultimately, what Spence thought was a successful offensive attack was actually used as a measuring stick. Once Crawford came to the realization that the stories behind Spence’s supposed power weren’t true, it was all downhill for the former titlist.

“I knew he was much slower than me and I was stronger than him and he didn’t hit as hard as everybody said he did.”