In a night that will be etched into boxing lore, Terence “Bud” Crawford solidified his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats by defeating undisputed super middleweight champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez via unanimous decision on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The 12-round bout, streamed live on Netflix, drew a record-breaking crowd of over 70,000 fans and shattered gate records with nearly $47 million in ticket sales.
Crawford, the undefeated four-division champion from Omaha, Nebraska, entered the ring with a perfect 41-0 record (31 KOs) and a reputation for technical mastery. Moving up two weight classes from 154 pounds to challenge the 35-year-old Álvarez (now 63-3-2, 39 KOs) at 168 pounds was a bold gamble, but “Bud” delivered one of the most impressive performances of his career. The judges scored the fight 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 in Crawford’s favor, making him the first male boxer to claim undisputed titles in three weight classes—lightweight, welterweight, and now super middleweight.
The fight was a tactical masterclass from the opening bell. Álvarez, known for his power and ring work, pressed forward with body shots and counters, particularly in the early rounds. Crawford, leveraging his superior speed and footwork, boxed brilliantly, landing crisp jabs and hooks to keep the Mexican star at bay. A standout moment came in Round 4, where Crawford connected with a whipping left hook followed by a solid jab, visibly rocking Álvarez. By the middle rounds, Crawford’s accuracy began to shine, as he evaded counters and controlled the pace, even smiling at the bell after exchanges.
Álvarez mounted pressure in the later rounds, backing Crawford to the ropes with combinations, but “Bud” escaped unscathed and countered effectively. The Guadalajara native’s power was evident, but Crawford’s elusiveness and ring IQ proved decisive, preventing any sustained momentum for the challenger-turned-defender.
This victory cements Crawford’s pound-for-pound supremacy and one of the greatest boxers of all time. Nobody knows what the future holds for the 37-year-old Crawford; will he retire or look to add to his already historic career? Regardless of what he chooses to do, he has already cemented himself on the Mount Rushmore of boxing.