Terence Crawford Defeats Canelo Alvarez to Become Three-Division Undisputed Champion

Posted : 14 September 2025

Terence Crawford etched his name into boxing history with a career-defining victory over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on Saturday night in Las Vegas. In front of 70,000 fans at the Allegiant Stadium, Crawford delivered a tactical masterclass to claim a unanimous points win and secure his place as the first male fighter in the modern era to hold undisputed titles across three weight divisions.

Moving up two divisions to super-middleweight, the 37-year-old American silenced a fiercely pro-Alvarez crowd with a display of timing, defence, and sharp counter-punching. Judges scored the bout 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113, margins tighter than many observers expected, but the verdict confirmed Crawford’s dominance over one of boxing’s biggest stars.

Visibly emotional, Crawford dropped to his knees as he was crowned champion, draped in the WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, and IBF belts. “I’m not here by coincidence,” he said afterward. Despite the magnitude of the achievement, the Omaha native suggested retirement could be on the horizon, adding, “I don’t know, I’ve got to sit down with my team and talk about it.”

For Alvarez, the defeat marked only the third loss of his 68-fight career. Fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend, the 35-year-old carried the weight of national pride, but he admitted he was beaten by a generational talent. “I feel great to share the ring with great fighters like him. If we do it again, it’ll be great,” Alvarez said. “My legacy is already there, and I love taking risks.”

The night had all the spectacle expected of a Canelo fight. Crawford’s entrance featured a mariachi band that initially fooled Mexican fans into singing along before the American emerged smiling on the big screen. Alvarez responded with his own grand mariachi walkout, soaking up the atmosphere of his adopted fight capital.

Inside the ring, the early rounds were cagey, but Crawford quickly found his rhythm. When Alvarez tested him with body shots in the fourth, Crawford replied with sharp uppercuts and right hooks, showing no fear of his rival’s power. By the middle rounds, Crawford’s combinations and footwork were dictating the pace, while Alvarez struggled to close the distance.

Ringside was packed with stars, including Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Thomas Hearns, Lizzo, and Mark Wahlberg. They witnessed Crawford frustrate Alvarez with slick movement and precise counter-punching. A spirited ninth round saw both fighters exchange heavily, briefly halted by an accidental clash of heads, but as the fight entered the closing stages, it was clear Crawford was in control.

Alvarez’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, urged his fighter to go for broke in the final rounds, but fatigue set in as Crawford picked him apart with jabs and crisp combinations. Although the judges’ cards made the result seem closer, Crawford never looked in danger of defeat.

Extending his unbeaten record to 42-0, Crawford’s performance was not only a landmark victory but also a statement of his place among boxing’s all-time greats.

Terence Crawford Defeats Canelo Alvarez to Become Three-Division Undisputed Champion

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