Who Shot Terence Crawford in the Head in 2008, Did the Incident Leave a Long-Term Health Risk for the Pound-For-Pound Boxer?

The pound-for-pound, best boxer in the world, Terence Crawford, has come a long way since his debut in 2008. The one-and-a-half decade-old career saw him become an undisputed champion for a short duration. Since 2018, he has been the WBO Welterweight champion of the world, defending it for the sixth time on December 10, last year. Now on his quest to become history’s first two-weight undisputed champion, he will meet long-time-rival Errol Spence Jr. on July 29 at the T Mobile Arena. 

But the journey has been challenging for the Omaha, Nebrasaka-born Southpaw. The undefeated champion, who has won 77% of his matches through knockouts, has been through a few trying times that tested his will. However, he prevailed and reached where he stands today, at the pinnacle of his game. 

An incident can bring out the best or the worst in a person. Either he stays put, examines the situation and himself deeply, and sets his perspective on the right course. Else, the event nudges him so severely that he peters out. 

The shooting incident defines Terence Crawford as P4P both in the ring and in life

While Terence has proven the kind of boxer that he is, a particular incident that occurred early in his career sheds light on his strength of character that ultimately catapulted him to the heights of boxing. Terence Crawford debuted professionally after an excellent amateur run on March 14, 2008. In that year alone, he fought five battles, winning all. But for the grave incident, he might as well have forgone the November fight. 

A few days before he turned twenty-one, frittering away time with a few friends one night, ‘Bud’ started shooting dice. Soon he found himself winning. After a couple of rounds, Terence called it quits, took his money, and sat inside his 1986 Pontiac Cutlass Supreme car. However, he made a mistake by not hurrying up from the place. Instead, he started counting. Suddenly, someone shot from behind. The bullet, a nine-millimeter, came through his vehicle’s rear window. 

As it turned out, the person who shot hadn’t aimed at Crawford but at someone else with whom he was shooting dice. The bullet, thankfully, instead of settling inside his head, hit his head on the right side, right below his ear. Reportedly, the nine-millimeter changed its directory after hitting the rear windscreen. Had it not then, on account of a straight hit, Crawford’s condition could have been fatal. 

However, despite the wound, badly bleeding, the future world champion remained composed and drove himself to the hospital. Crawford even called up his mother and trainer ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, as he reached, apprising them of the incident. Luckily, his injuries weren’t deadly, and after a few stitches ‘Hunter’ got discharged. Once again, proving his mental toughness, two months after the incident, Terence Crawford fought the fifth match of the year against Michael Williams on November 8. His perseverance paid off six years later as he earned his first world title. According to his trainer, the September incident changed his thinking, a step in the right direction. It made him more focused towards his goals.

Who shot Terence Crawford, and what happened to him?

According to multiple sources, such as ‘worldboxingnews,’ when asked for a few details about the shooter, Terence Crawford shook his head and shared that the shooter received a shot and died.  

Read More: “I Just Bet on My House and Car That This Fight Ain’t Happening”: Despite Terence Crawford & Errol Spence Jr. Negotiating Fight Deal and Purse Split Themselves, Fans Remain in Disbelief

Who, in your opinion, should be the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world? Or is Terence Crawford justifying his current place? Do share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

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