Terence Crawford proved once again that size is not a determining factor, offering a master class to defeat Canelo Álvarez by unanimous decision and become the undisputed super middleweight champion on Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium. The judges scored the fight 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113. With this victory, Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) became the first male boxer in the four-belt era to be undisputed champion in three weight categories. He achieved it in style in front of a crowd of 70,482 people, most of them Álvarez fans, and millions more who watched the fight live via Netflix. After conquering world titles in four weight divisions, including undisputed status at super lightweight and welterweight, Crawford, who will turn 38 in two weeks, made the bold jump from 154 to 168 pounds to dethrone boxing’s biggest star.
I told everyone that I’m not here by coincidence. God blessed me. He made this event and this night just for me. And I’ve been telling you. It’s not my fault. It’s God’s.
Terence Crawford
Despite the close scorecards, the feeling was that Crawford won by a wider margin, repeatedly frustrating Álvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) and leaving the Mexican star as lost as when he was defeated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013. Álvarez, 35, has improved significantly since then, but Crawford was simply a better boxer, always one or two steps ahead.
Crawford outlanded Álvarez in total punches, 115-99, and in jabs, 45-16. He outboxed Álvarez when it mattered most, with the most telling moment coming in the eleventh round, when a simple jab from Crawford forced Álvarez to back up and shake his head in disbelief. The size difference dominated the conversation before the fight, and although both fighters weighed 167.5 pounds on Friday, the expectation was that Álvarez’s power and strength would overwhelm Crawford. That didn’t happen.But it was Crawford who took the biggest risk by going up to 168 pounds, when almost everyone, including his opponent, said it was too much to overcome. The performance lived up to the demolition of Errol Spence Jr. in 2023 to become the undisputed welterweight champion. Although it wasn’t as violent, it was almost perfect against one of the best fighters of this era. The Omaha, Nebraska boxer, Crawford, used movement at the beginning to unbalance Álvarez, kept an active jab, and chose his moments with hard combinations during the 36 minutes of the fight. Crawford was focused from the start, while Álvarez sought to corner his opponent. But Crawford’s movement prevented Álvarez from entering and connecting his powerful punches. Instead, Álvarez found himself on the receiving end of Crawford’s combinations. Crawford began to increase the pace in the fourth round, stringing together punches and escaping danger. Álvarez, the proud fighter from Guadalajara, Mexico, had success hitting the body in hopes of slowing Crawford. However, Crawford’s movement prevented Álvarez from establishing his feet and throwing significant combinations. By the seventh round, Crawford decided to stay in the pocket and trade punches with Álvarez, which seemed to take him by surprise. Álvarez began to visibly show frustration on his face as Crawford landed combinations on his head and moved away. Crawford didn’t rest on his laurels and in the championship rounds, outperforming Álvarez in the punch count. Many fans headed for the exit before the decision was announced. For those who stayed and booed Crawford loudly, those boos turned into cheers of gratitude for the brilliant boxing of the best from Omaha. Crawford may not have much left to do in his career, but he refused to commit to retirement.I am a winner for being here. I have done everything in my career. I have come to take risks, and that’s what I did. I take risks.
Canelo Álvarez
If this is the last time Crawford steps into a ring, a serious conversation must be had about his place among the greatest boxers of all time.I don’t know. I have to sit down with my team and we’re going to talk about it.
Terence Crawford
