Terence “Bud” Crawford etched his name deeper into boxing history on Saturday night, defeating Saul “Canelo” Alvarez by unanimous decision to claim the undisputed super middleweight championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The contest, billed as one of the most anticipated fights of 2025, lived up to its hype as both fighters showcased their skill and resilience in front of more than 70,000 spectators. After 12 tense rounds, the judges’ scorecards read 116-112, 115-113, 115-113, all in favor of Crawford.
Crawford, who moved up two weight classes to face Alvarez, now becomes the first boxer to be undisputed champion in three divisions—junior welterweight, welterweight, and super middleweight. The 36-year-old southpaw extends his unbeaten record to 42-0 with 31 knockouts.
Alvarez, 35, entered the bout as a four-division world champion with only two previous defeats in his illustrious career—to Floyd Mayweather in 2013 and Dmitry Bivol in 2022. The loss to Crawford snapped a six-fight winning streak, though Alvarez remained gracious in defeat, congratulating his opponent afterward. His professional record now stands at 63-3-2.
The fight itself was a tactical battle, with Crawford using slick footwork and evasive movement to frustrate Alvarez through the early rounds. In the ninth, Crawford suffered a cut from an accidental headbutt but quickly regained composure. Despite knowing their fighter was ahead on points, Crawford’s corner urged caution, aware of Alvarez’s power and ability to turn a contest in an instant.
The result further elevates Crawford’s legacy, with many boxing analysts hailing him as one of the sport’s all-time greats. His victory also marked a financial milestone for Alvarez, whose guaranteed purse of $100 million plus pay-per-view and revenue shares are expected to push his career earnings close to $800 million, solidifying his status among the highest-paid boxers in history.
