Terence Crawford (behind) throws a punch at Canelo Alvarez throughout their blockbuster bout on Saturday in Las Vegas, September 13, 2025. — Reuters
LAS VEGAS: Terence Crawford shocked Mexican famous person Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to say the undisputed tremendous middleweight world boxing crown on Saturday, turning into the primary man to win undisputed titles in three weight divisions.
In a combat of razor-thin margins, Crawford poured it on within the closing rounds to earn a unanimous choice victory, enhancing his unblemished document to 42-0 with 31 knockouts.
Crawford, 37, had jumped up two weight classes to vie for historical past, having already counted undisputed titles at tremendous light-weight and welterweight amongst his titles in 4 — now 5 — weight courses.
He silenced critics who claimed his glowing resume was full of sub-standard opponents and quieted a raucously pro-Alvarez crowd of 70,482 at Allegiant Stadium, dwelling of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.
Decide Steve Weisfeld scored the bout 116-112 for Crawford, whereas Tim Cheatham and Max DeLuca scored it 115-113 for the American, who had nothing however reward for his opponent.
“Canelo is a great champion,” Crawford mentioned. “I’ve got nothing but respect for Canelo. I’m a big fan of Canelo and he fought like a champion today.”
Alvarez, 35 and a world champion in 4 divisions, fell to 63-3-2.
Crawford pissed off Alvarez along with his agility and velocity, dropping none of his quickness as he stepped as much as the 168-pound (76.2-kg) class.
He weighed in on the similar 167.5 kilos as Alvarez, a profession excessive for Crawford, who had by no means fought above 147 kilos till final yr when he weighed 153.5 in a unanimous choice victory over Israil Madrimov.
Alvarez, boxing’s largest star for the previous decade, merely could not get at him as Crawford used his jab and landed combos with a vengeance within the closing rounds after carrying the champion down.
Crawford raised his arms after which sank to his knees when the ultimate bell rang, having earned grudging admiration even from the pro-Alvarez crowd.
‘Defeat would not outline me’
The Mexican, who will reportedly make $100 million for the combat, suffered his first defeat since dropping a unanimous choice to Dmitri Bivol in Might 2022 in a bid at gentle heavyweight.
Canelo Alvarez throughout a press convention, Boulevard Metropolis, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 20, 2025. — Reuters
“A defeat does not define me,” Alvarez insisted as he opened the door to a rematch.
“Crawford is a great fighter, and you have to give him credit. But I feel the same… I feel good sharing the ring with great fighters like him. If we do it again, it will be great.”
There was little to separate the 2 by the primary six rounds.
In a measured first spherical from each fighters Alvarez landed one strong physique shot and he pressed ahead extra aggressively within the second spherical, persevering with to work the physique in a bid to sluggish the challenger down.
The motion was selecting up within the fourth, Crawford touchdown extra combos and proving a slippery goal.
Crawford’s hand velocity was making distinction within the sixth, and within the seventh he was making use of his longer attain and outworking the champion, who got here off worse in most exchanges.
Each fighters got here out firing within the ninth, Crawford punishing Alvarez with a string of combos.
The American was shaken by an unintended headbutt, however he continued to pour it on and Alvarez may discover no reply.
“Thank you,” Crawford advised the followers. “Thank you to all the supporters, thank you to all the haters. We made this a great event.”
The bout was promoted by Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, which inked Alvarez to a four-fight deal that made him the newest in a rising checklist of boxers to flock to the dominion for mega paydays.
Riyadh Season teamed with UFC mastermind Dana White to advertise the combat that was streamed globally by Netflix.
Former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson and Mexican ring icon Julio Cesar Chavez have been amongst a raft of present and former fighters among the many celebrities in attendance.
Stars of the leisure world readily available included Oscar-winner Charlize Theron and actors Mark Wahlberg, Jason Statham and Charlie Sheen, Grammy-winning musician Kendrick Lamar, Likelihood the Rapper, Marc Anthony and YouTuber MrBeast.
On the undercard, France’s Christian Mbilli and Guatemala’s Lester Martinez brawled to a break up choice draw over 10 action-packed rounds, Mbilli retaining his WBC interim tremendous middleweight belt.
Cameroon-born Mbilli is now 29-0 with one draw and 24 knockouts and as holder of the “interim” tag can have his eye on difficult Crawford — if this wasn’t the American’s final combat.
“I don’t know,” Crawford mentioned when requested. “I’ve got to sit down with my team and we’ll talk about it.”
