Terence Crawford Shocks Boxing World with Historic Victory Over Canelo Alvarez

Terence Crawford Stuns Canelo Alvarez in Historic Las Vegas Showdown
By Charlotte Daly, Multimedia Content Reporter | Updated: 09:24 BST, 14 September 2025

Crawford and Canelo faced off tensely at the weigh-in ahead of their superfight.

In a seismic upset, Terence "Bud" Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) dethroned Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (61-3-2, 39 KOs) via unanimous decision to become boxing’s first three-division undisputed champion. The American’s masterclass at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium cemented his legacy as an all-time great, while raising questions about Canelo’s future at age 35.

The Fight: Crawford’s Precision Overpowers Canelo’s Power

Result: 117-111, 116-112, 115-113 for Crawford

Round 1-4: A tactical start saw Crawford using lateral movement and jabs to control distance. Canelo landed a sharp left hook to the body in Round 1, but Crawford responded with counter combinations. By Round 4, Crawford’s uppercut wobbled Canelo, who grinned despite the blow.

Round 5-8: Canelo pressed forward, but Crawford’s agility and body shots drained the Mexican. A low blow controversy in Round 6 briefly paused action. Crawford’s Round 8 right hand stunned Canelo, who retaliated with a vicious hook—yet Crawford smirked, unfazed.

Round 9-12: The bout exploded in Round 9 with a head clash leaving Crawford cut. Canelo unleashed power shots, but Crawford’s 11th-round flurry nearly dropped him. In a dramatic final round, both traded recklessly, but Crawford’s cleaner punches sealed his historic win.

Crawford (L) and Canelo exchange blows in the championship rounds.

Keys to Victory

• Crawford: Leveraged southpaw stance, footwork, and counterpunching to exploit Canelo’s plodding pace.
• Canelo: Struggled to cut off the ring, with his signature body attacks largely neutralized.

Historic Context

Crawford, 37, entered as a +300 underdog but made history:

• First boxer (male) to become undisputed champ in three divisions (140, 147, 168 lbs).
• Achieved despite moving up two weight classes from welterweight.

Canelo, guaranteed over £100M for the bout, faced criticism post-fight. “He lacked the intensity of his prime,” analyst Ryan Garcia noted pre-fight—a sentiment echoed by fans post-bout.

Pre-Fight Buildup

The Deal: Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh brokered the matchup after Crawford campaigned relentlessly. Canelo initially dismissed the challenge but signed a four-fight Riyadh Season deal in 2025.

Expert Takes:

• Roy Jones Jr.: “Canelo needed a KO; Crawford’s IQ was too high.”
• Shawn Porter: “Bud’s camp focused on stamina for 12 rounds at 168.”

Crawford celebrates his legacy-defining win in Las Vegas.

What’s Next?

Crawford: Eyes a light heavyweight title for a fourth undisputed crown.
Canelo: Faces retirement rumors but may pursue a David Benavidez showdown.

Crawford’s victory reshapes boxing’s pound-for-pound hierarchy, proving skill trumps size in a modern classic. As he declared post-fight: “This isn’t an upset—it’s destiny.”

Relive the fight’s pivotal moments HERE.