Terence “Bud” Crawford delivered one of the greatest performances in modern boxing history, defeating Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez by unanimous decision to become the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world. In front of a record-breaking crowd of over 70,000 fans in Las Vegas, Crawford etched his name in the history books as the first man to achieve undisputed status in three different divisions.
The 37-year-old Nebraska native moved up two weight classes to hand Álvarez only the third loss of his illustrious career. Judges scored the fight 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 in favor of Crawford, who now holds an immaculate record of 42 wins with 31 knockouts. The achievement not only cements his dominance but elevates him to the pantheon of all-time greats alongside the likes of Henry Armstrong, Roberto Durán, and Manny Pacquiao.
The fight began as a tense chess match, with Crawford switching stances and working behind his jab to neutralize Álvarez’s trademark body shots. By the middle rounds, Crawford had seized control, exploiting Álvarez’s slower footwork and limited adjustments. The turning point came in the sixth round, when Crawford stood his ground, landing clean left hands that left swelling under Álvarez’s right eye. From that moment, the American dictated the pace with slick movement, sharp counters, and clinical combinations.
Álvarez continued pressing forward, finding some success to the body, but lacked a backup plan. As frustration set in, his punches grew wilder and less effective, while Crawford’s confidence soared. Even a cut from an accidental head clash in the ninth round couldn’t derail Crawford, who boxed with poise and flair in the championship rounds, firing flurries and smiling through exchanges.
For Álvarez, who had reigned supreme at 168 pounds for nearly seven years, it was a humbling defeat. His record now stands at 63-3-2, with questions looming over his future at super middleweight.
Beyond the ring, the event marked a seismic shift in boxing’s business model, streamed to millions globally on Netflix and staged under the newly launched Zuffa Boxing banner. But the evening belonged to Crawford. The fighter once overlooked by mainstream promoters now stands as one of the sport’s all-time greats, conquering Canelo on Mexican Independence Day weekend and securing a legacy that will be remembered for generations.
