By JEFFREY BATTLE

Las Vegas — Sept. 13, 2025

Terence “Bud” Crawford cemented his place among boxing’s all-time greats Saturday night, defeating Canelo Álvarez by unanimous decision to claim the undisputed super-middleweight championship at Allegiant Stadium.

The judges scored the fight 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 in Crawford’s favor. With the victory, Crawford, 37, became the first male boxer of the four-belt era to achieve undisputed championships in three separate divisions — junior welterweight, welterweight, and now super-middleweight. The Omaha, Nebraska native improved his record to a perfect 42-0 with 31 knockouts.

The historic bout drew a record crowd of more than 70,000 to Allegiant Stadium and was streamed live to over 41 million viewers worldwide on Netflix, marking a groundbreaking debut for Zuffa Boxing, the new promotional venture spearheaded by UFC president Dana White and Saudi adviser Turki al-Sheikh.

Moving up two weight classes to face Álvarez, Crawford relied on precision, footwork, and counterpunching to outmaneuver the Mexican superstar. While Canelo pressed forward with his trademark power shots, Crawford stayed elusive, choosing his moments to engage and consistently landing the cleaner, sharper punches.

The early rounds were tense and tactical, with both fighters feeling each other out. As the fight progressed, Crawford’s speed and timing became more apparent. By the championship rounds, Canelo was pressing but unable to land enough to sway the scorecards.

“I came here to prove that greatness knows no limits,” Crawford said in the ring afterward. “People doubted I could come up two divisions and beat a fighter like Canelo. Tonight, I showed the world what I’m made of.”

Álvarez (61-3-2), who entered the night as the reigning undisputed champion at 168 pounds, acknowledged his opponent’s mastery. “He was the better man tonight,” Canelo said. “I tried to push the fight, but he controlled the rhythm. I’ll be back.”

Crawford’s triumph elevates him to the top of boxing’s pound-for-pound rankings and strengthens his case as one of the greatest fighters of his generation. Few boxers in history have dared to chase titles across three divisions at the highest level, and none in the modern four-belt era had succeeded until now.

For Álvarez, the defeat marks a setback in a career already defined by legacy fights and high-stakes challenges. While still among boxing’s most popular and accomplished figures, the 34-year-old may face questions about whether his peak years are behind him.

Beyond the fighters, the event itself underscored a shifting landscape in professional boxing. With Netflix’s massive global audience and Zuffa Boxing’s promotional push, the sport is embracing a new model for delivering blockbuster fights outside of traditional pay-per-view systems.

The victory opens new doors, and questions, for Crawford. At 37, he has little left to prove, and some in his camp have hinted at possible retirement atop the sport. Yet others suggest he could defend his new titles or even test himself at light heavyweight.

Meanwhile, Álvarez is expected to regroup and evaluate his future. Whether that means a rematch, a return to Mexico for a comeback fight, or a new marquee matchup at super-middleweight, Canelo remains one of boxing’s biggest draws.

Regardless of what follows, Saturday night will be remembered as a defining moment. Crawford, long respected for his technical brilliance and quiet confidence, seized the brightest spotlight of his career and delivered a performance that will live in boxing history.

“This is for history,” Crawford said simply, holding the belts high. “And history can’t be denied.”

Featured image: BBC