Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Boxing, Canelo Alvarez, Saul Canelo Alvarez, Saul Alvarez
Ben McCrum
Topics: Boxing, Canelo Alvarez, Saul Canelo Alvarez, Saul Alvarez
The Mayor of Omaha has released a statement after police held Boxing champion Terence Crawford at gunpoint.
After claiming a historic win in a spectacular fight with boxing legend Canelo Alvarez, Crawford established himself as the first man in the modern era to hold three titles across three different weight divisions.
Following the hard-fought fight inside Nevada's Allegiant Stadium, the American secured a 12-round unanimous decision win and earned reclaimed his spot as the pound-for-pound number one.
To celebrate the win, Crawford decided to hold a victory parade on the streets of his home city of Omaha, Nebraska on Saturday.
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But just hours later, the celebrations were ruined as the boxing great was pulled over by Omaha Police and held at gunpoint, leading to the city's mayor release a lengthy statement.
Hours before his 38th birthday, 'Bud' was pulled over by local police regarding a traffic stop and things quickly escalated as officers pulled out their guns.
In a video of the incident shared online by a passenger in Crawford's car, the champion is seen stepping out his car with his hands up before being searched by an officer.
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The caption of the video reads: "Being black in America."
During the incident, Crawford was handcuffed by police but later released with no charges, prompting both the Omaha Police Department and city mayor John Ewing to speak out.
In their official statement, the police acknowledged the viral video and stated that Crawford was stopped after he had been seen driving recklessly.
"While speaking with the driver, an officer observed a firearm on the driver's side floorboard," the statement claimed.
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"For safety, all four occupants were ordered out of the vehicle at gunpoint. The driver was later identified as Mr. Crawford upon verification of his driver's license and was issued a citation for reckless driving.
"One passenger, a member of Mr. Crawford's security team, was also found to be carrying a legal firearm."
In his official statement reacting to the incident, mayor Ewing added: “I learned Omaha police pulled over Terence “Bud” Crawford on a traffic stop downtown early this morning.
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"After learning of this, I spoke personally to Bud Crawford. I acknowledge the seriousness of what occurred and how trust between law enforcement and our community is important and shows the need to be continuously vigilant about building relationships.
"Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer has pledged an internal investigation, which I support and want to be full and thorough. We will gather all the facts and be transparent with the public about our findings.
"Understand that my heart dropped in learning of this end to an otherwise wonderful day and evening celebrating our city’s world boxing champion. We held a great parade and great event at Heartland of America park.
"The evening birthday party at Steelhouse, which I and members of my team attended, was a showing of joy and pride. Omaha needs to remember this important day as a good one while we seek answers to how it ended.
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"Meanwhile, we must ensure that every resident, no matter who they are, feels safe and respected in Omaha.”
Crawford himself is yet to comment on the incident.