By Mike Coppinger

Terence Crawford (25-0, 17KOs) easily defeated a game Ray Beltran on Saturday night, retaining his WBO lightweight title.

However, he's going to have to vacate that belt in the near future.

Crawford gained 18 pounds on fight night, weighing in on HBO's unofficial scales at 153. He told Max Kellerman after the fight that he'll be moving up to 140 pounds for his next bout, saying "This is it."

"I been at 135 since I was 17. I am 27 now. It is time to move up."

Far more attractive bouts await "Bud" at junior welterweight, including a mega matchup with Manny Pacquiao, who indicated he might move down to 140 himself.

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