Terence Crawford stops Shawn Porter to retain WBO welterweight title

Porter's father and trainer asks ref to stop the fight following second knockdown in the 10th round

Terence Crawford poses for photographers after defeating Shawn Porter by TKO in a welterweight title boxing match Saturday, November 20, 2021, in Las Vegas. AP Photo

Terence Crawford celebrates after defeating Shawn Porter in Las Vegas. AP Photo

Terence Crawford knocks down Shawn Porter during the 10th round. AP Photo

Shawn Porter lies on the mat after he was knocked down by Terence Crawford. AP Photo

Terence Crawford lands a right to Shawn Porter. AP Photo

Terence Crawford hits Shawn Porter during a welterweight title boxing match Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo / Chase Stevens)

Terence Crawford hits Shawn Porter during a welterweight title boxing match. AP Photo

Shawn Porter, left, fights Terence Crawford. AP Photo

Referee Celestino Ruiz moves in to protect Shawn Porter after Porter was knocked down in the 10th round by WBO champion Terence Crawford. AFP

WBO champion Terence Crawford poses with referee Celestino Ruiz after defeating Shawn Porter. AFP

Referee Celestino Ruiz checks on Shawn Porter after he was knocked down by WBO champion Terence Crawford in the 10th round. AFP

WBO champion Terence Crawford dances with his mother Debra Crawford and other family members after defeating Shawn Porter. AFP

WBO champion Terence Crawford punches Shawn Porter. AFP

Unbeaten Terence Crawford made a successful defence of his WBO welterweight title on Saturday, stopping Shawn Porter in the 10th round in Las Vegas.

The 34-year-old Crawford knocked Porter down twice in the 10th before Porter's father and trainer Ken Porter stepped in to call off the fight.

Crawford felled Porter intially with a left uppercut on the button that buckled his knees.

It was all over 1:21 of the round, when Crawford's overhand right to the side of the head sent Porter to the canvas for a second time, prompting his father to lean over the ropes and ask the referee to halt the contest.

Crawford improved to 38-0 with 29 wins by knockout, while Porter suffered the fourth loss of his career, falling to 31-4-1 with 17 KOs.

The fight was close through the first nine rounds with both fighters suffering cuts over their eyes due to accidental butts.

Crawford moved to 16-0 in world championship fights and extended his streak of winning inside the distance to nine straight bouts.

Crawford is considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.

He was the undisputed champion at super lightweight, held a lightweight belt and is now 6-0 with six knockouts as a welterweight.

Crawford has the lesser of the four major welterweight titles.

Errol Spence, who was at ringside on Saturday, holds the IBF and WBC belts and Yordenis Ugas is in possession of the WBA title.