The American southpaw knocked out his Russian opponent for the 10th time in a row with a left uppercut-right hook combo.
Crawford is making his sixth defense of the title he won in 2018, and his record now stands at 39-0.
In more than six years, no opponent has gone the distance with the 35-year-old.
“I started ramping up the pace, planted my feet, and I got him with a hook,” Crawford explained after the bout.
Crawford’s biggest adversary in the category is unbeaten compatriot Errol Spence Jr, with a bout between the two scheduled for 2022 falling through.
The former undisputed light-welterweight world champion was vague about his plans for future fights, including a potential meeting with Spence, adding: “This was a one-fight deal.
“Hopefully, we can go to the drawing board and these big fights come about in the near future.”
On Saturday night, Spence was involved in a car crash but the unified champion – who was in a serious car crash in 2019 – appeared to avoid major injury, posting an Instagram video from the scene.
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