Terence Crawford delivered one of boxing’s greatest upsets Saturday night, defeating Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision to become the undisputed super middleweight champion at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The victory makes Crawford the first male boxer in the four-belt era to win undisputed titles in three different weight classes.
Historic Achievement Against All Odds
Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) jumped up 14 pounds and two weight divisions to dethrone boxing’s biggest star before 70,482 fans and millions streaming on Netflix. Two judges scored the fight 115-113 for Crawford, while the third scored it 116-112, though the fight felt more decisive than the close scorecards suggested.
The 38-year-old from Omaha had already made history as the first male boxer to win undisputed titles in two weight classes during the four-belt era, capturing championships at junior welterweight and welterweight. Saturday’s victory over Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) adds the super middleweight division to his unprecedented collection.
Masterful Performance Neutralizes Size Advantage
Despite concerns about the significant weight jump, Crawford systematically dismantled Alvarez’s game plan through superior boxing skills and tactical adjustments. Fighting exclusively in the southpaw stance, Crawford used movement and an active jab to prevent Alvarez from getting inside to land his trademark power shots.
Crawford outlanded Alvarez 115-99 in total punches and dominated the jab battle 45-16. The size difference that dominated pre-fight discussion became irrelevant as Crawford muscled around the naturally bigger Alvarez, particularly in the later rounds.
Turning Points and Key Moments
The fight remained competitive through four rounds before Crawford began asserting control. A crucial sixth round saw Crawford land a hard hook that pushed Alvarez back and earned his respect, marking the beginning of Crawford’s dominance.
Crawford’s confidence grew throughout the fight, eventually choosing to trade with Alvarez in the pocket by Round 7. The tactical shift caught Alvarez off guard, leading to visible frustration as Crawford bounced combinations off his head before slipping away.
A telling moment came in the 11th round when a simple Crawford jab forced Alvarez to step back and shake his head in disbelief, symbolizing the Mexican star’s inability to solve Crawford’s puzzle.
Alvarez’s Struggles and Gracious Response
The performance left Alvarez looking as lost as he did in his 2013 defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. Despite success targeting Crawford’s body early, Alvarez couldn’t establish sustained offensive rhythm against Crawford’s movement and counter-punching.
“There’s no defeat here,” Alvarez said post-fight. “The fact that I’m here makes me already a winner. I’ve done everything in my career. I’ve come to actually take risks, and that’s what I did.”
Alvarez expressed openness to a rematch, praising Crawford’s performance while maintaining his legacy remains intact regardless of the result.
Crawford’s Emotional Victory
“I told y’all I’m not here just by a coincidence. God blessed me,” Crawford said after the fight. “He made this event, and he made this night just for me. And I’ve been telling y’all that.”
The victory caps a remarkable late-career surge for Crawford, who has now defeated elite opposition across multiple weight classes. His 2023 demolition of Errol Spence Jr. to become undisputed welterweight champion showed his ability to rise to big occasions, but Saturday’s performance against Alvarez may surpass even that achievement.
Legacy and Future Questions
Crawford declined to reveal his future plans, saying he needs to “sit down with my team and we’re gonna talk about it.” At 38, with little left to prove, retirement questions are natural despite his dominant performance.
If this proves to be Crawford’s final fight, it would end a career deserving serious consideration among boxing’s all-time greats. His ability to win undisputed titles in three weight classes while maintaining an undefeated record places him in rare historical company.
The crowd that initially jeered Crawford eventually offered appreciative cheers for the boxing brilliance they witnessed, recognizing they had seen something special unfold in the desert.
