Terence “Bud” Crawford delivered the performance of his career on Saturday night, defeating Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez by unanimous decision to become the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world.

The bout, staged at Allegiant Stadium before a record crowd of more than 70,000, saw Crawford move up two weight classes to challenge the Mexican star. Judges scored the fight 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113, all in Crawford’s favour.

A Historic Win

With the victory, Crawford became the first male boxer in the four-belt era to hold undisputed titles in three divisions: junior welterweight, welterweight, and super middleweight. He also extended his unbeaten record to 42 wins, 31 of them by knockout.

The fight was also a commercial success, drawing more than 41 million viewers on Netflix worldwide, making it one of the most-watched men’s boxing events in recent history.

The Fight

Crawford began cautiously, using his jab and footwork to keep Canelo at range. As the rounds progressed, he grew more assertive, countering effectively and landing combinations that disrupted Canelo’s rhythm. The sixth round marked a shift in momentum, with Crawford pressing forward and taking control of the exchanges.

Canelo had moments, particularly with body shots in the middle rounds, but struggled to break through Crawford’s defence. By the championship rounds, it was clear the American had established enough of a lead to secure the decision.

‍

‍

Legacy and Aftermath

The result adds another chapter to Crawford’s legacy, with many observers already placing him among the greatest fighters of his generation. For Canelo, the defeat ends his undisputed reign at 168 pounds and raises questions about his future at the top level.

Saturday’s contest reaffirmed that when the stakes are highest, boxing can still capture the world’s attention, and that Crawford, at 37, continues to write history.

‍