On a night destined for boxing’s history books, Terence “Bud” Crawford delivered a masterclass performance to dethrone Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and become the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world.
Fighting in front of 70,000 spectators at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and a record-breaking global audience on Netflix, Crawford produced a career-defining display that has now cemented his place among the sport’s greatest.
A win for the ages
Crawford, who turns 38 in less than two weeks, made history by becoming the first male fighter to claim undisputed status across three divisions in the four-belt era. Already a champion at lightweight, light-welterweight, and welterweight, the Omaha native rose two weight classes to topple boxing’s most marketable superstar.
In doing so, Crawford silenced critics who doubted his résumé. Canelo had dismissed him as someone who had “fought nobody.” Crawford’s response, posted on social media within an hour of his victory, was simple: “For all the nobodies.”
The figurative mic drop summed up the night: this was not just a win, but a statement.
Calm amid the storm
What stood out as much as his precision in the ring was Crawford’s composure throughout the week. Entering the arena to a mariachi band in front of a largely pro-Canelo crowd, he smiled, unfazed by the partisan atmosphere.
“When I set my sights on something, I know what I’m capable of,” Crawford said afterward. “It’s not a surprise to me. Maybe to everyone else. But I knew I could do it—I just needed the opportunity.”
Asked when he first believed victory was his, Crawford coolly replied: “When he signed the contract.”
His serene confidence translated into the ring, where his sharp counters, movement, and tactical brilliance left Alvarez unable to impose himself.
Alvarez under pressure
For Canelo, it was only the third defeat in a glittering career spanning 68 professional bouts. The Mexican star, who once sold ice creams on Guadalajara’s buses to support his family, has risen to global superstardom, earning a reported $150 million purse for Saturday’s fight.
But superstardom also brings scrutiny. Critics have long debated scorecards from his fights with Erislandy Lara and Gennady Golovkin, and his 2018 drug ban still lingers in discussion. Now, questions arise over whether age and wear are catching up.
Alvarez admitted afterward: “Sometimes you try, and your body cannot go. That’s the frustration.” When asked what troubled him most about Crawford, he answered bluntly: “Everything. He has everything.”
A new face of boxing
Crawford’s triumph feels like a changing of the guard. Boxing has often struggled with fragmented titles and diluted star power, but his historic feat stands as a beacon of clarity and dominance.
Comparisons with Floyd Mayweather are inevitable. Crawford, however, downplayed them: “Floyd was the greatest of his era. I’m the greatest of this era. There’s no need to compare.”
His record speaks volumes: 42 wins, 31 by knockout, across five divisions, and now three undisputed reigns. Few can boast such a résumé.
The bigger picture
Beyond the ropes, the fight also symbolized a shift in boxing’s landscape. With Netflix streaming to over 300 million subscribers and UFC chief Dana White promoting Zuffa Boxing, the sport may be entering a new era of centralized control and broader reach. Whether this benefits fighters remains to be seen, but nights like this show boxing’s enduring power to captivate the world.
For now, Crawford sits atop the throne. At nearly 38, his reign may not last forever, but his legacy is secure. From surviving a gunshot in his youth to surviving Canelo’s best in Las Vegas, the kid from Omaha is now the face of boxing.
