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

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

The boxing world is preparing for an epic showdown on September 13th, when two of the best boxers of today, Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, will face each other in a fight that will define the debate about who is the best pound for pound. Canelo, undisputed super middleweight champion, will put his legacy to the test against Crawford, WBA super lightweight champion, in a duel that has been expected for years.

Crawford, with an impressive record of 41-0 and 31 KOs, will move up two weight classes to challenge Canelo, who has been the highest-grossing boxer for the last decade. Although Canelo remains a shining star, he will face an opponent who ranks higher pound for pound. Crawford’s inactivity, who has fought only once a year since 2020, could be a factor. His last fight was in August 2024, a decision victory over Israil Madrimov. If Crawford, 37, manages to defeat Canelo, 35, he would become the only boxer in the four-belt era to be undisputed champion in three weight categories, solidifying his position as one of the best in the world. For Canelo (63-3-3, 39 KOs), who had a less brilliant performance in his last fight against William Scull in May, a victory over Crawford could elevate him from the number 8 position in the ranking.

Detailed Analysis of Canelo and Crawford’s Careers

Here, we analyze the best performances, the most impactful knockouts, the most dominant fights, moments of difficulty, and the most important matches of both boxers.

Canelo’s Best Performance: Unanimous Decision Victory against Gennadiy Golovkin

On September 17, 2022, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo defeated Golovkin by unanimous decision in the third fight of their trilogy. Although the fight was not as exciting as the previous two, this victory could be remembered as Canelo’s most significant.

Canelo, by defeating Golovkin, closed the trilogy with a perfect response to his decision loss against Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight four months earlier. He retained his undisputed super middleweight crown with scorecards of 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112.

“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

This victory ended the discussions about the controversial draw in 2017 and the close 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 biggest rival three times and winning by technical knockout in the ninth round. Spence, who underwent cataract surgery six months later and had dealt with a detached retina, could not counter Crawford’s strategy.

Crawford, with his counterattack and precision, knocked down Spence in the second round with a left-right combination, and then sent him to the canvas two more times in the seventh round. Crawford bombarded Spence with unanswered blows until the fight was stopped in the ninth round. In 2023, Crawford started and ended the year as the number one pound-for-pound boxer, solidifying his position with the victory over Spence.

Canelo’s Best KO: KO in the Eleventh Round against Sergey Kovalev

On November 2, 2019, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo delivered a memorable performance. Taking a risk, Canelo patiently waited for his moment and sent Kovalev to the canvas with a left hook in the eleventh round, followed by a right hand that left him hanging on the ropes.

This victory was even more impressive because Canelo moved up two weight classes to achieve his best knockout against a renowned puncher and world light heavyweight champion. Alvarez, then middleweight champion, moved up 15 pounds to win the WBO light heavyweight belt.

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 world title for the first time, stopping Gamboa in the ninth round. Gamboa was knocked down four times, but showed courage and aggression, making the fight an intense match.

The Cuban boxer, Olympic gold medalist in 2004, won the first rounds, but Crawford responded with a knockdown in the fifth round. Crawford sent Gamboa to the canvas again in the eighth round and finally, with a right uppercut in the ninth, 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, Canelo drew with Golovkin in a fight that generated much controversy. The controversial split draw (one judge voted 118-110 for Canelo) was the motivation Canelo needed to improve his performance and win two more fights against Golovkin, in addition to conquering two more weight categories. Canelo’s three fights against Golovkin are among the most important of his career, as Canelo overcame one of the best middleweight champions in boxing history and silenced the critics. Canelo was affected by the public’s reaction, who booed him after the announcement of the draw. This led him to improve his game in the rematch a year later, winning with cards of 115-113 twice, and with a third card of 114-114.

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

On March 1, 2014, at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, Crawford challenged local hero Burns for the WBO lightweight title. Crawford, then 26 years old, dominated from the fourth round and won by unanimous decision, with scorecards of 116-112, 117-111 and 116-112, inflicting Burns’ first defeat in 10 world title fights.

Crawford was in excellent form in his first world title fight. He left Glasgow with his reputation enhanced after overcoming Burns and securing a victory that would launch a career that has seen him win world titles in four weight classes. The victory over Burns was the starting point for Crawford’s career.

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 achieved a dominant victory over Billy Joe Saunders 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. Alvarez, in the eighth round, waved to the fans in the crowd of 73,126 (a record for an indoor boxing event) as he inflicted damage that required surgery on Saunders 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 Alvarez to add the WBO title to his WBC and WBA super-middleweight belts.