Boxing Weekend: Crawford and Inoue Shine in the Ring
A weekend packed with action in the boxing world, with three of the best pound-for-pound fighters in action. Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, and Canelo Álvarez were the protagonists of fights that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Crawford defied expectations by moving up two weight divisions and facing Canelo Álvarez at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. On the other hand, Naoya Inoue defended his undisputed super bantamweight titles against Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Nagoya, Japan.Crawford Destroys Canelo and is Crowned
Terence Crawford achieved an impressive victory over Canelo Álvarez, becoming the undisputed champion at 168 pounds. Crawford added four more belts to his collection, making history as the first boxer in the four-belt era to hold the undisputed status in three weight categories (super lightweight, welterweight, and super middleweight).Inoue Maintains His Dominance in Japan
Naoya Inoue reaffirmed his dominance with a convincing victory over Akhmadaliev, retaining his undisputed championship. Inoue proved to be superior in all aspects, outclassing an opponent who was expected to present a difficult challenge.Analysis of Fights and Ratings
We analyze the outstanding performances of the weekend and evaluate the performance of the winners and losers.Terence Crawford: A+
Crawford’s performance could be even more impressive than his victory over Errol Spence Jr. in July 2023. Crawford demonstrated impeccable technique, exceptional footwork, and an ability to keep Canelo off balance. He established himself as one of the best boxers of this generation.Canelo Álvarez: B-
Canelo was outmatched by Crawford. Although he tried to pressure and attack the body, Crawford was prepared to counter every move. Álvarez had difficulty connecting combinations and was outmatched in speed and technique.Christian Mbilli: B
Mbilli applied a constant pressure strategy, but failed to adjust when his initial plan didn’t work. He ended up absorbing a lot of punishment and getting a draw.Lester Martinez: B+
Martinez showed resilience and made effective adjustments, including the use of uppercuts. Although the result was a draw, he demonstrated his worth in the 168-pound division.Naoya Inoue: A
Inoue showed intelligence in the ring, avoiding Akhmadaliev’s punches and connecting body shots that wore down his opponent. He dominated Akhmadaliev in every aspect, proving that he doesn’t need a knockout to prevail.Murodjon Akhmadaliev: D+
Akhmadaliev couldn’t find answers to Inoue’s speed and technique. His counter-attack strategy didn’t work, and he was outmatched by an opponent operating at a higher level.
