The fight we all circled on the calendar — Canelo vs Crawford — ended not just with history being made, but with questions that linger long after the final bell. Terence “Bud” Crawford became undisputed at super middleweight, shocking Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas and solidifying himself as one of the greatest fighters of the modern era.
But here’s my honest reaction: I thought Canelo would bring more.
Canelo vs Crawford: The Build-Up to a Superfight
From the moment this fight was announced, the intrigue wasn’t about whether it would sell — of course it would. It was about whether Terence Crawford, already undisputed at welterweight and super lightweight, could step up and dethrone the most decorated star of this era at super middleweight.
I’ve written before about how this was the superfight boxing deserved and why it felt like our generation’s equivalent of the classic “Thriller in Manila” or “Rumble in the Jungle.” That’s not hyperbole — the magnitude, the narrative, the generational clash all lined up.
But unlike those fights, where heavyweights clashed with sheer ferocity, what we got here was something else: a tactical masterpiece from Crawford and a surprisingly muted showing from Canelo.
Where Was Canelo’s Usual Authority?
That’s the part that’s stuck with me.
Canelo Alvarez has built his reputation on power, pressure, and body shots that make opponents crumble. He’s the man who stopped Sergey Kovalev. The man who walked down Caleb Plant. The man who once looked unbeatable at 168.
And yet, against Crawford, he looked hesitant. Yes, Crawford’s timing, footwork, and counters make anyone cautious — but this is Canelo, fighting at his natural weight, against a man moving up. I honestly thought he’d try to sit on Crawford more, rough him up, lean that heavier frame in, and fire off the kind of combinations that wear down smaller men.
Instead, it felt like he was waiting for an opening that never came. Was he too respectful of Crawford’s skill? Or did he simply run out of ideas once Plan A failed?
Crawford’s Tactical Brilliance
None of this takes away from Crawford. What we saw was a fighter at the peak of his powers.
Crawford didn’t just edge this — he controlled it. He dictated pace, angles, and rhythm. His jab disrupted Canelo’s rhythm, his counter left hand punished every lazy entry, and his lateral movement stopped Canelo from ever planting his feet for those trademark body shots.
This wasn’t luck, and it wasn’t just speed. It was pure ring IQ. Exactly what I broke down in my tactical preview: if Crawford could control distance and keep Canelo resetting, he had a path to victory. And he executed it flawlessly.
The Scorecards Tell a Story
Looking at the official scorecards — 116-113 on two, 115-113 on another — this wasn’t a blowout. On paper, it was close.
And I think that’s why some will argue Canelo did better than I’m giving him credit for. But let’s be honest: watching it live, it never truly felt like he was in control. Crawford dictated the fight. The rounds that went Canelo’s way were more about him being busier than landing anything decisive.
That difference between “competitive” and “convincing” is important. Crawford was convincing.
A Generational Statement
What makes this even more historic is the context. Terence Crawford is now the first man in the four-belt era to become undisputed in four weight classes. That’s absurd. It’s beyond rare — it’s almost unimaginable in today’s fractured boxing landscape.
For all of Canelo’s achievements, Crawford has now carved out a legacy that feels untouchable. He’s beaten everyone put in front of him, often in dominant fashion, and now he’s taken out one of the sport’s biggest stars in a division above his natural frame.
This wasn’t just Crawford winning another fight. This was him stamping his authority as boxing’s true pound-for-pound king.
What’s Next for Both Fighters?
Here’s where it gets interesting.
For Terence Crawford, the options are endless. He could defend at super middleweight, or maybe drop back down and cherry-pick legacy fights that cement his place in history. Whatever happens, nights like this only come once in a generation, and he doesn’t need to prove much more.
For Canelo Alvarez? This might be the end.
I said it before the fight and I’ll say it again with even more conviction now: there won’t be a rematch. It doesn’t make sense. Canelo has been a world champion across four divisions, the face of boxing for a decade, and one of the biggest earners in the sport. What’s left for him to achieve?
If he chooses to walk away, he does so as a future Hall of Famer, one of Mexico’s greatest, and a man who carried the sport on his back for years. Maybe that’s the right time — because if we’re honest, nights like this only come once in a career.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Boxing
Beyond the belts and the bragging rights, this fight could be a line in the sand for boxing.
With Netflix involved in its broadcast, the global reach was bigger than almost any fight in recent years. As I wrote here, this might be the start of a new era in how boxing presents itself to the mainstream. Pair that with the fact that this was the biggest fight of 2025 and you can see why this event will be remembered not just for who won, but for what it means going forward.
Final Thoughts
I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect it to go like this. I thought Canelo’s size, experience, and power would eventually wear Crawford down. Instead, I ended up watching one of the finest away-from-home performances in recent boxing memory.
Yes, part of me wonders why Canelo didn’t let his hands go more. But maybe that’s the point: Crawford didn’t let him. He shut him down, made him hesitate, and walked away with history.
As for what comes next — Crawford reigns supreme, and Canelo may well choose the sunset. If this was his last stand, he leaves the sport with a resume few can match.
Join the Conversation
That’s my take — but what about yours? Were you surprised at how passive Canelo looked, or do you think Crawford’s brilliance made him look that way?
Share your thoughts in the comments below, pass this on to your boxing mates, and if you want more analysis that goes deeper than the headlines, head over to CMBoxing — where we talk boxing the way fans actually want it.