The official scores:
60-54
60-54
60-54
The 21-year-old southpaw used his speed, timing and sharp jab selection to stop Crawford (7-7, 2 KOs) from establishing any momentum. Moses found early success and looked to hurt Crawford in the second round with a series of clean punches that briefly put the veteran on the defensive.
Crawford continued to emerge, showing the toughness that made him a reliable opponent for young prospects, but he struggled to match Moses in the trade. Whenever Crawford tried to close the distance, Moses was usually first with the cleaner punches and faster combinations.
The Newark native seemed to drop the pace somewhat during the later laps, although he remained firmly in control. Whether it was a matter of conserving energy, winning rounds or making adjustments during the fight, Moses was never in danger of letting the fight slip away.
While the show wasn’t built around a dramatic knockout, it gave fans another look at the skills that have made Moses one of the more watched young fighters in the division. His hand speed, footwork and ability to control distance were on display throughout the six-round contest.
The win keeps Moses undefeated and continues his steady progression through the professional ranks. After the fight, he indicated that he wants to move into eight-round bouts, a sign that he and his team believe he is ready for a step up in competition.
There are still areas for improvement. Crawford managed to land occasional body shots, and Moses had moments where he seemed more interested in entertaining than maintaining a disciplined attack. These are issues that often become more significant as the opposition improves.
Saturday’s performance provided another reminder of why many consider Moses a prospect worth following. He handled his assignment professionally, winning rounds with ease and leaving Houston with another win on his record.
