North Omaha sends off local three-time boxing champion Crawford
World Champion Boxer Terence "Bud" Crawford is departing Omaha for Colorado Springs where he will train before his next big fight in Las Vegas on July 29.
World Champion Boxer Terence "Bud" Crawford is departing Omaha for Colorado Springs where he will train before his next big fight in Las Vegas on July 29.
World Champion Boxer Terence "Bud" Crawford is departing Omaha for Colorado Springs where he will train before his next big fight in Las Vegas on July 29.
Fans in North Omaha sent off their hometown hero on Saturday.
World Champion Boxer Terence "Bud" Crawford is departing Omaha for Colorado Springs, where he will train before his next big fight in Las Vegas on July 29.
The winner will walk away with boxing's undisputed welterweight title. This weekend, fans of the three-time champion are wishing him good luck at his B&B Sports Academy in North Omaha.
"Bud is the heart of the city, so we got to come out and support. We know what he going to do to Spence. And this is like the pre-celebration to the official celebration," said Latron "Chrome" Louis, the founder and CEO of Code Z Outreach, which helps youth.
Born and raised in North Omaha, Crawford has become a shining star in the world of boxing. Even with the fame though, residents here say he has never forgotten his roots.
"He started from the projects, he's a success story. He literally started with nothing and now he's one of the greatest fighters pound-for-pound ever," said Markus Hines, one of the leaders at Heart Ministry Center.
Poverty and gun violence are just a few of the hurdles children can face here. And for many of them, Crawford is a beacon of hope, a role model, someone they can aspire to be like no matter what they do. It gives parents hope too.
"Especially having their dad in their lives, Bud, you know someone ... a role model to look up to, I think that's really big for them," said Monique Louis, a parent of four boys.
"He's one of those people they can look up to, he's one of those people that the kids can see and say I want to do that or I can be that," Hines said.
"He's never forgotten to reach back down and help others that's behind him, so," said Brandon Louis, who is married to Monique.
And for all that he has done here at home, it will be the community that will be there cheering him on.
"Let's go champ, you got this!" Monique said.
"Fry that fish, fry that fish," Hines said.
"You know what you got to do for the city ... whoop his ... and I ain't gonna say that word," Latron Louis said.