Canelo vs Crawford: The 10 Key Fights of Their Careers

Canelo vs. Crawford: An Epic Showdown on the Horizon

The boxing world is preparing for a clash of titans on September 13th, when two of the best pugilists of this generation will face off in a fight that will define the legacy of both. Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champion, will face Terence “Bud” Crawford, current champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA) in the super welterweight category. The fight promises to be a milestone, after six years of competition for the coveted first place in the pound-for-pound ranking. Crawford, with an undefeated record of 41-0 and 31 knockouts, will boldly move up two weight classes to challenge Canelo, who has been the highest-grossing boxer for most of the last decade. Although Canelo’s appeal remains bright, he will face an opponent who currently holds a higher spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. However, Crawford’s inactivity is notable, as he has only fought once a year since 2020. His most recent fight was a decision victory over Israil Madrimov in August 2024. If Crawford, 37, manages to defeat Canelo, 35, he would become the only male boxer in the four-belt era to be undisputed champion in three weight categories, solidifying his status as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. For Canelo (63-3-3, 39 KOs), who had a less brilliant performance in his recent decision victory over William Scull in May, a victory over Crawford could boost him from his current number 8 position in the rankings. Below, we analyze in detail the careers of Canelo and Crawford, highlighting their best performances, most impactful knockout victories, most dominant fights, moments of difficulty or disappointment, and the most important matches.

Canelo’s Best Performance: Domination against Golovkin

The trilogy with Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, culminating in a unanimous decision victory on September 17, 2022, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, is remembered as Canelo’s most significant victory. Although the final fight was not as entertaining as the previous two, Canelo proved to be the clear victor over a 40-year-old Golovkin.

This victory allowed Canelo to close the trilogy perfectly, after a defeat by decision against Dmitry Bivol in light heavyweight four months earlier. With scorecards of 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112, Álvarez retained his undisputed super middleweight crown.

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

Gennadiy 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: Masterclass Against Spence Jr.

Crawford offered a technical masterclass by knocking out Errol Spence Jr. in the ninth round on July 29, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Spence, who underwent cataract surgery six months later and had dealt with a detached retina, couldn’t counter Crawford’s precision and counterattacks.

Crawford knocked Spence down in the second round with a left-right combination, and then sent him to the canvas again with a counter right and a right hook in the seventh round. Crawford was punishing Spence with unanswered blows when the fight was stopped in the ninth round. This triumph over Spence solidified Crawford as the undisputed welterweight champion, and in 2023, he was recognized as the best pound-for-pound boxer. His speed, ring intelligence, and defense elevated him above all others in the welterweight category.

Canelo’s Best KO: Kovalev in the Eleventh Round

On November 2, 2019, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo produced a memorable knockout against Sergey Kovalev. After avoiding danger in the early rounds, Canelo patiently waited for his moment to attack. In the eleventh round, Canelo weakened Kovalev’s legs with a left hook and sent him to the canvas with a right hand, leaving him on the ropes.

What makes this knockout even more impressive is that Canelo moved up two weight divisions to achieve his best KO finish against a renowned puncher and light heavyweight world champion. Alvarez, then middleweight champion, moved up 15 pounds to win the WBO light heavyweight belt. This historic victory allowed Canelo, at 29 years old, to become a world champion in a fourth weight category, equaling Mexican legends like Juan Manuel Márquez, Erik “Terrible” Morales and Jorge “Travieso” Arce.

Crawford’s Best KO: Domination Against Gamboa

On June 28, 2014, at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska, Crawford defended his world title for the first time, stopping Yuriorkis Gamboa in the ninth round. Gamboa, who had arrived undefeated to the fight, showed courage and aggressiveness, which turned this fight into an intense battle.

The Cuban boxer, Olympic gold medalist in 2004, won the first rounds and was in a good moment when Crawford achieved the first knockdown in the fifth round. Crawford knocked Gamboa down again with some precise punches in the eighth round. The best of all was a right uppercut in the ninth round that knocked Gamboa down and knocked him out.

Canelo’s Most Important Fight: The Draw with Golovkin

Although this fight generated criticism for Canelo, it pushed him to improve his performances and knockouts. The controversial split draw (one judge scored the fight 118-110 for Canelo and then retracted) 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 overcame one of the best middleweight champions in boxing history and responded to criticism. In the lead-up to the first fight, Golovkin-Canelo was compared to the exciting and fierce middleweight title fight between Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns in 1985. However, 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 the more active fighter.

Canelo was affected by the public’s reaction to the first fight, which included boos from some of his own fans after the announcement of the draw. This led him to raise his level in the rematch a year later, obtaining scores of 115-113 twice, with a third judge scoring it as a draw 114-114.

Crawford’s Most Important Fight: Victory Against Burns

Crawford arrived in Glasgow to challenge local hero Burns for the WBO lightweight title with a reputation as a talented prospect, but was still relatively unknown. Crawford, then 26 years old, dominated from the fourth round to win by scores of 116-112, 117-111 and 116-112, as Burns suffered his first defeat in 10 world title fights in front of a crowd of 10,000 fans.

Crawford was in sublime form in his first world title fight. He returned home 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. Other title-winning performances were also important in Crawford’s career, but a loss to Burns would have delayed Crawford’s arrival at the top. That was the fight that started it all. Crawford was serene 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 star in the United States; the better man won that night,” Burns said afterward. “He was always coming in and out. I was overreaching and he was catching me with counter-punches.”

Ricky Burns

Canelo’s Most Dominant Victory: Saunders in the Eighth Round

Canelo took first place in the ranking when he gave Saunders a brutal 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. Alvarez enjoyed the eighth round, waving to the fans in the crowd of 73,126 (a record for an indoor boxing event) 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 losing 78-74, 77-75 and 78-74 on the scorecards. This victory saw Alvarez add the WBO title to his WBC and WBA super-middleweight belts.

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Crawford’s Most Dominant Victory: Khan in the Sixth Round

Crawford’s victories over David Avanesyan and Jeff Horn were also dominant, but the knockout in the sixth round of Khan stands out because Crawford subdued a fighter with faster hands and movements. Crawford dominated from the first bell, knocking Khan down in the first round. Then, Crawford delivered a beating in the following rounds, and when Khan received an intentional low blow from Crawford in the sixth round, Khan’s 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 and showed Crawford at his best. The first knockdown began with a counter right hand as Crawford combined power, speed, and intelligence in the ring, reading Khan’s jab. Crawford bewildered Khan as he switched stances, and his pinpoint accuracy saw him land twice as many punches (88 to 44, according to CompuBox). After finishing Khan in six rounds, Crawford equaled the feats of Alvarez, who had also defeated Khan in six rounds three years earlier.

Canelo’s Most Disappointing Performance: Decision Victory Against Scull

Instead of being one of his two defeats against Mayweather and Bivol, Canelo’s most disappointing performance came in a fight he comfortably won earlier this year. His most recent outing was an anticlimactic victory that earned him widespread criticism.

This was a snooze-inducing affair, as Alvarez cruised to a unanimous decision victory over Scull to become undisputed super-middleweight champion for the second time. It boiled down to a disappointing debut in Saudi Arabia for Alvarez after signing a multi-million dollar deal with Riyadh Season. Alvarez threw just 152 punches, as he failed to shine in a forgettable fight. According to CompuBox, Alvarez’s total punches were the second fewest in a 12-round fight in the company’s 40-year history.

Instead of Scull’s performance being evidence of Alvarez’s decline, it was likely that Alvarez 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: Decision Victory over Madrimov

In a tactical chess game, Crawford earned unanimous scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 to become a four-division champion by capturing the WBA super welterweight title.

Despite the victory, Crawford seemed disappointed afterward.

“I’m not going to lie,” Crawford said. “It’s tough… it took me to the 12th round… This guy is big.

Terence Crawford

Crawford acknowledged that Madrimov was disciplined and didn’t throw wild punches as he expected. It was the first time Crawford went the distance since Viktor Postol took him 12 rounds in July 2016. Crawford’s jab was effective and he won the later rounds, but Madrimov had success early with straight rights. When Crawford faces another, larger opponent in Alvarez, he will hope to display a more solid defense.