Canelo vs. Crawford: An Epic Duel on the Boxing Horizon
On September 13th, the boxing world will stand still. Two of the most prominent pugilists of today, Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, will face each other in a fight that will define who is the best pound for pound. After years of debate and dominance at the top of the rankings, this fight promises to be a milestone. Crawford, with an undefeated record of 41-0 and 31 knockouts, moves up two weight divisions to challenge Canelo, the highest-grossing figure in boxing in the last decade. Although Canelo maintains a star appeal, he will face an opponent who currently holds a higher place in the pound-for-pound rankings. Crawford’s inactivity, having fought only once a year since 2020, could be a factor. His most recent victory was by decision over Israil Madrimov in August 2024. For Crawford, beating Canelo, 35, would make him the only male boxer in the four-belt era to be undisputed champion in three weight divisions, solidifying his status as one of the best pound-for-pound. For Canelo (63-3-3, 39 KOs), who didn’t have a brilliant performance in his recent decision victory against William Scull in May, a triumph over Crawford could boost him from his current number 8 position.Detailed Analysis: Key Trajectories and Moments
Below, we will explore the best performances, the most impactful knockouts, the most dominant fights, moments of difficulty, and the most important matchups in the careers of Canelo and Crawford.Canelo’s Best Performance: Unanimous Decision Victory vs. Gennadiy Golovkin
On September 17, 2022, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo defeated Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin by unanimous decision. Although the final fight of the trilogy was not as exciting as the first two, the victory consolidated Canelo. This triumph was a perfect response to his decision loss to Dmitry Bivol in light heavyweight four months earlier. Canelo retained his undisputed super middleweight crown with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112.The victory ended the controversies of a draw in 2017 and a majority decision in 2018 in their first two encounters.“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.”
Gennadiy Golovkin
Crawford’s Best Performance: TKO in the Ninth Round vs. Errol Spence Jr.
On July 29, 2023, also at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Crawford offered a technical masterclass, sending his biggest rival to the canvas on three occasions and achieving a technical knockout victory in the ninth round. Spence, who underwent cataract surgery six months later, was unable to counter Crawford’s strategy. Crawford controlled Spence with his counterpunching and knocked him down in the second round with a left-right combination, and then sent him to the canvas again with a right counter and a right hook in the seventh round. Crawford was punishing Spence with unanswered blows when the fight was stopped in the ninth round. Crawford’s knockout victories over former welterweight champions Kell Brook and Shawn Porter boosted his reputation in 2020 and 2021, before reaching its peak with the victory over Spence, becoming undisputed welterweight champion. This was Crawford’s only mega-fight before his match against Canelo, compared to at least eight that Canelo has competed in. In 2023, Crawford started and ended the year as the number 1 pound-for-pound boxer, solidifying his position with speed, ring intelligence, and defense.Canelo’s Best KO: KO in the 11th Round vs. Sergey Kovalev
On November 2, 2019, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo produced a knockout for the ages. Canelo patiently waited for his moment and connected with a left hook in the eleventh round, sending Kovalev to the canvas with a right cross. What makes this knockout even more impressive is that Canelo moved up two weight divisions to achieve it, facing a renowned puncher and light heavyweight world champion. This historic triumph made Canelo, at 29 years old, a world champion in a fourth weight category, equaling great Mexican boxers like Juan Manuel Márquez, Erik “Terrible” Morales and Jorge “Travieso” Arce.Crawford’s Best KO: TKO in the Ninth Round vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa
On June 28, 2014, at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska, Crawford defended his world title for the first time, stopping Gamboa in the ninth round. Gamboa went down a total of four times, but the fight was intense and challenging for Crawford. Gamboa, who arrived undefeated, showed courage and aggression. Crawford connected a series of impressive punches, including a right uppercut that knocked Gamboa out.Canelo’s Most Important Fight: Split Draw vs. Gennadiy Golovkin 1
On September 16, 2017, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the split draw with Golovkin generated criticism, but it pushed Canelo to improve his performances and knockouts. The controversy was the motivation Canelo needed to win two more fights against Golovkin and conquer two weight divisions. Canelo’s three fights against Golovkin are among the most important of his career, as Canelo surpassed one of the best middleweight champions in boxing history and silenced the critics. In preparation for the first fight, Golovkin-Canelo was compared to the exciting middleweight title fight between Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns in 1985. Canelo didn’t engage enough, 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 to the first fight, including the boos from some of his own fans after the announcement of the draw. This led him to raise his game in the rematch a year later, obtaining scores of 115-113 twice, with a third scoring it as a 114-114 draw.Crawford’s Most Important Fight: Unanimous Decision Victory vs. Ricky Burns
On March 1, 2014, at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, Crawford defeated Ricky Burns by unanimous decision, winning the WBO lightweight title. Crawford, with a reputation as a talented prospect, dominated from the fourth round, securing a victory that would boost his career. Burns suffered his first defeat in 10 world title fights in front of 10,000 fans. Crawford was sublime and launched his career, winning world titles in four weight classes.
Other important performances were also crucial in Crawford’s career, but a loss to Burns would have delayed his rise. That was the fight that started it all. Crawford was composed and elegant throughout, too fast and skillful for Burns in Crawford’s first and only professional fight outside the United States, and in his first 12-round fight.“You can see why he’s considered the next big thing in the United States; the better man won that night,” Burns said afterwards. “He was always coming in and out. I was overreaching and he was hitting me with counter-punches.”
Ricky Burns
Canelo’s Most Dominant Victory: TKO in the Eighth Round vs. Billy Joe Saunders
On May 8, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Canelo offered Saunders a beating in a super middleweight title unification fight. A devastating right uppercut in the eighth round closed Saunders’ right eye and caused enough damage for his corner to stop the fight before the ninth round. Álvarez enjoyed the eighth round, saluting the fans while inflicting damage that required Saunders to undergo surgery to repair a fracture in his right orbital bone. At the time of the stoppage, Saunders was down 78-74, 77-75 and 78-74 on the scorecards. This victory allowed Álvarez to add the WBO title to his WBC and WBA super middleweight belts.On April 20, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York, Crawford dominated from the first bell, sending Khan to the canvas in the first round. Crawford controlled the fight, and when Khan received an accidental low blow from Crawford in the sixth round, his corner rescued him from further punishment. Crawford was leading on the scorecards 49-45, 50-44 and 49-45 at the time of the stoppage. It was a one-sided victory that showcased Crawford at his best.
In the sixth round, Crawford matched the feats of Canelo, who had also defeated Khan in six rounds three years earlier.Canelo’s Most Disappointing Performance: Unanimous Decision Victory vs. William Scull
The most disappointing performance by Canelo wasn’t one of his two losses to Mayweather and Bivol, but a fight he comfortably won earlier this year. His most recent outing was an anticlimactic victory that earned him widespread criticism. It was a soporific encounter, as Álvarez cruised to a unanimous decision victory over Scull. Álvarez landed only 152 punches, the second-lowest amount in a 12-round fight in CompuBox history. Instead of Scull’s performance being evidence of Álvarez’s decline, it was likely that Álvarez did just enough to get by and prepare for the fight with Crawford, whom he met face-to-face in the ring moments after dealing with Scull.Crawford’s Most Disappointing Performance: Unanimous Decision Victory vs. Israil Madrimov
In a tactical duel, Crawford obtained unanimous scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 to become a four-division champion. Despite the victory, Crawford sounded disappointed after the fight.It was the first time Crawford went the distance since Viktor Postol took him to 12 rounds in July 2016. Crawford’s jab was effective and he won the final rounds, but Madrimov had success early on with right hands.“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
