Canelo vs. Crawford: 10 Key Fights in Their Boxing Careers

Canelo vs. Crawford: A Clash of Giants in the Ring

The boxing world is preparing for an epic showdown on September 13th, when two of the most outstanding pugilists of today, Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, will face each other in a fight that will define the best pound for pound.

Crawford, current WBA champion in the super welterweight category, will move up two divisions to challenge Canelo, who has dominated boxing in terms of earnings over the last decade. Despite Canelo’s appeal, Crawford enters the ring with a superior position in the pound-for-pound ranking. Crawford, with a record of 41-0 and 31 KOs, has been less active, fighting only once a year since 2020. His last victory was against Israil Madrimov in August 2024. Defeating Canelo, 35, would make Crawford, 37, the only boxer in the four-belt era to be undisputed champion in three weight classes, solidifying his status as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. For Canelo (63-3-3, 39 KOs), who had a less-than-brilliant performance in his recent decision victory over William Scull in May, a win over Crawford could elevate him from his current position at number 8.

Detailed Analysis of Canelo and Crawford’s Careers

Here’s an analysis of the best moments, KO victories, most dominant fights, least outstanding performances, and the most important fights of both boxers.

Canelo’s Best Performance: Unanimous Decision Victory Against Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin

On September 17, 2022, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo defeated Golovkin by unanimous decision in the third and final fight of their trilogy.

Although the fight wasn’t as exciting as the first two, this victory is considered Canelo’s most significant, who retained his undisputed super middleweight title. This victory closed the trilogy and served as a response to his decision loss to Dmitry Bivol.

“Everyone knows this is high class. This is the best boxer in boxing. Everyone knows who Canelo is,” Golovkin said after the fight. “This fight is more tactical. Today, Canelo is better. Congratulations to Canelo.”

Gennady Golovkin

This victory ended the controversies of a draw in 2017 and a majority decision in favor of Canelo in 2018 in their first two fights.

Crawford’s Best Performance: TKO in the Ninth Round Against Errol Spence Jr.

On July 29, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Crawford offered a technical masterclass, knocking down his opponent three times and securing a technical knockout victory in the ninth round.

Spence, who underwent cataract surgery six months later, couldn’t counter Crawford’s strategy, who knocked him down in the second round with a left-right combination and again in the seventh round. This victory consolidated Crawford as the undisputed welterweight champion and kept him at the top of the ESPN rankings.

Canelo’s Best KO: KO in the 11th Round Against Sergey Kovalev

On November 2, 2019, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo demonstrated his power with a spectacular KO in the eleventh round.

Canelo, who moved up two weight divisions, knocked down Kovalev with a left hook and finished him with a right hand, becoming a world champion in a fourth weight category.

Crawford’s Best KO: TKO in the Ninth Round Against Yuriorkis Gamboa

On June 28, 2014, at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska, Crawford defended his lightweight world title by stopping Gamboa in the ninth round. Gamboa, who had fallen four times, showed great bravery, but Crawford, with a right uppercut, knocked him out.

Canelo’s Most Important Fight: Split Draw Against Gennadiy Golovkin

On September 16, 2017, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the split draw with Golovkin generated criticism, but also pushed Canelo to improve his performance. The result, which included a controversial scorecard, motivated Canelo to win two more fights against Golovkin and conquer two additional weight divisions. In preparation for the first fight, Golovkin-Canelo was compared to the exciting and fierce middleweight title fight between Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns in 1985. But Canelo didn’t engage enough for the fight to be a classic, and Golovkin didn’t land the clean punches that had knocked out 33 of his previous 37 professional opponents up to that point. Álvarez tried to counter Golovkin, who was the aggressor and more active. Canelo was affected by the public’s reaction, who booed him after the draw. This prompted him to improve in the rematch, winning by decision.

Crawford’s Most Important Fight: Unanimous Decision Victory Against Ricky Burns

On March 1, 2014, at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, Crawford defeated Ricky Burns to win the WBO lightweight title.

Crawford dominated from the fourth round, securing a victory that would boost his career and lead him to win world titles in four weight classes. Crawford was superior to Burns, launching a successful career that led him to win world titles in four weight categories.

Canelo’s Most Dominant Victory: TKO in the Eighth Round Against Billy Joe Saunders

On May 8, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Canelo offered a demonstration of his power, stopping Saunders in the eighth round. A right uppercut in the eighth round caused enough damage for Saunders’ corner to stop the fight. This victory allowed Álvarez to add the WBO title to his WBC and WBA belts.

Crawford’s Most Dominant Victory: Sixth-Round TKO Against Amir Khan

On April 20, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York, Crawford dominated Khan, knocking him down in the first round and outclassing him until his corner stopped the fight in the sixth round. Crawford showed his speed, ring intelligence, and precision, outclassing Khan with a significant difference in landed punches. After finishing Khan in six rounds, Crawford equaled Álvarez’s feat, who had also defeated Khan in six rounds three years earlier.

Canelo’s Most Disappointing Performance: Unanimous Decision Victory Against William Scull

In May 2025, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Canelo had an unremarkable performance in a fight he won by unanimous decision. This fight was criticized, as Canelo did not offer a great spectacle and threw few punches. According to CompuBox, Álvarez’s total punches were the second lowest in a 12-round fight in the company’s history.

Crawford’s Most Disappointing Performance: Unanimous Decision Victory Against Israil Madrimov

In August 2024, at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Crawford secured a unanimous decision victory against Madrimov, capturing the WBA super welterweight title.

Despite the victory, Crawford expressed his disappointment.

“I’m not going to lie,” Crawford said. “He’s strong… he took me to the 12th round… This guy is big. He was disciplined. He didn’t come in throwing wild punches like I intended”.

Terence Crawford

It was the first time Crawford went the distance since Viktor Postol took him 12 rounds in July 2016.