Terence Crawford didn’t just outclass Canelo Álvarez — he made history. With a unanimous decision win in Las Vegas, he became the undisputed super-middleweight champion, and the first fighter in the four-belt era to go undisputed in four different divisions.
That’s not just another stat on BoxRec. That’s something nobody in the sport — past or present — has ever managed.
If you want my instant take from fight night, you can read it here: Canelo vs Crawford reaction. But having slept on it, this feels even bigger than it did in the immediate aftermath.
Crawford’s Place in History
In boxing history, “undisputed” hasn’t always meant what it means today. Before the four-belt era, being undisputed meant holding the WBC, WBA and IBF — the WBO wasn’t considered a major sanctioning body until the 2000s. That’s why Lennox Lewis is remembered as the last undisputed heavyweight champ of the three-belt era, and Oleksandr Usyk just made history as the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight.
But here’s the thing: nobody in any era has ever done what Crawford just pulled off. Not Lewis. Not Mayweather. Not Pacquiao. Not the legends of the ’80s or ’90s.
Crawford has become undisputed at lightweight, super-lightweight, welterweight and now super-middleweight. Four different weight classes. Four times clearing out a division. That’s why this isn’t just another belt haul. It’s a unique chapter in boxing history.
The Fight: A Masterclass in Control
Canelo did what Canelo always does — pressure, body shots, looking to wear his man down. But from the opening round, Crawford looked in total control. Switching stances, sharp on the jab, countering with clinical timing — he made one of the sport’s most dangerous fighters look flat-footed.
The judges had it 116–112, 117–111 and 118–110. That tells its own story. Crawford didn’t just nick rounds; he dominated them. Against a naturally bigger man, he neutralised everything Canelo tried and dictated the pace.
It was less a brawl, more a boxing lesson.
What’s Next for Crawford?
The obvious name is David Benavídez, the “Mexican Monster.” Younger, bigger, relentless — if anyone can ask questions of Crawford at 168, it’s him. David Morrell is another with serious potential, though still raw. Jermall Charlo could step up, but does that fight carry the same weight after what we’ve just seen?
But the bigger question is: does Crawford need any of them? At 37, with four-weight undisputed already in his pocket, he could retire tomorrow and nobody could argue he left anything undone. His legacy is already untouchable.
Canelo’s Future: Slowing Down
Canelo is only 35, but it’s a hard 35. Over 60 pro fights, countless training camps, endless pressure on his shoulders.
The signs have been there. He looked slower against Dmitry Bivol. Even against Jermell Charlo, where he won, his feet weren’t the same. Against Crawford, the decline was laid bare — his timing was off, his reactions half a beat behind, his pressure blunted.
He’s still a legend. Still one of the defining fighters of this generation. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if this was his last fight.
Could This Be the End for Both?
That’s the thought that lingers. We may have seen the final chapter for both men.
For Crawford, what’s left to chase? He’s made history that nobody can match. For Canelo, the miles on the clock might have finally caught up with him.
Boxing has a cruel way of dragging fighters on too long. But maybe, just maybe, we saw both men’s swansong on the same night.
Final Word
Crawford undisputed at four weights isn’t just a headline — it’s a landmark moment in boxing history. Nobody has done it before, and it’s unlikely anyone will do it again for a long time.
Whether he fights again or walks away on top, this night confirmed what some of us already suspected: Terence Crawford is one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever seen.
Your Turn
Do you think Crawford should defend against Benavídez, or call it a career at the absolute peak? And is this finally the end for Canelo?
Share your thoughts in the comments, send this to your boxing mates, and check out CMBoxing.co.uk for more reaction and opinion pieces that tell it straight.