Cody Crowley continues to demonstrate that he’s a legitimate welterweight contender.
The Canadian southpaw, coming off an upset of top-rated Kudratillo Abdukakhorov, outworked a courageous, but faded version of Josesito Lopez en route to a unanimous-decision victory on the Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas card Saturday in Arlington, Texas.
The official scores were 99-90, 98-91 and 98-91. Boxing Junkie scored it 99-90 for Crowley, nine rounds to one.
Crowley (21-0, 9 KOs) was true to his form, fighting behind his jab and outworking his opponent with a variety of punches to the head and body from beginning to end.
Lopez (38-9, 21 KOs) kept himself in the fight in the early rounds with punishing body shots, which undoubtedly got Crowley’s attention.
However, by Round 6, the 37-year-old Southern Californian began to fade. His work rate declined, he went down from a light hook in Round 8 and started to take a beating.
His trainer, Robert Garcia, threatened between rounds to stop the bout to protect his fighter but Lopez did just enough to go the distance in what might be his last fight.
It’s no secret why Crowley can maintain the pace he does.
“I just train hard,” he said. “I give 110 percent every single day.”
Crowley is ranked in the Top 15 by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, No. 6 by the WBO. His time is coming slowly but it appears to be coming.
“I believe I’m one of the best in the world,” he said. “… I have to continue beating whoever is placed in front of me. And eventually I’m going to get my shot.”