Cody Crowley couldn't hold back the tears as soon as the referee raised his hand. He had finally done it.
The Canadian fighter beat Abel Ramos by majority decision Saturday night in Las Vegas in a WBC world welterweight eliminator a year after his father took his own life.
"This fight is something else, I worked all my life for this opportunity. The last two years I didn't want to live, because I couldn't get my chance, the fights were canceled. I've been training since July. I was broke and I wanted to take my life and I didn't do it, but my dad did. And if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here... And for those who are thinking about taking their lives, I am proof that if you keep fighting, you will win," said the fighter, who improved his record to 21-0, with 9 KOs, while still in the ring.
In what was his first appearance at the MGM Grand Garden, Crowley sent a powerful message early in the week to raise awareness of the need for a support network for those who fight their demons. He even held a raffle to raise funds to donate to a helpline.
Since 2020, Crowley has struggled to get fights and since then has had just two bouts, which stunted his development, but after holding one of the highlights of the Benavidez vs. Plant PPV he expects his career to take off.
Crowley said this fight was dedicated entirely to his father and mother, as without them he would not be in the position of waiting for the challenger to Yordenis Ugas and Mario Barrios, now that Errol Spence is expected to vacate the WBC title.