Terence “Bud” Crawford didn’t just win a superfight—he authored a milestone no male boxer in the four-belt era had ever reached. In front of a roaring crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Crawford outboxed Canelo Álvarez over 12 tactical rounds to claim a unanimous decision and seize all four major super middleweight titles, completing a historic third undisputed reign.
From the opening bell, Crawford set a tempo that favored his eyes and feet over Canelo’s power. He managed distance with a patient lead hand, twitched feints to freeze counters, and stepped off at angles that made Canelo reset before he could stack combinations. When Alvarez edged close, Crawford met him with pinpoint jabs, short counters, and quick exits—never lingering long enough for the champion’s trademark body assault to take hold.
The scorecards—116–112, 115–113, 115–113—captured a fight of fine margins decided by ring IQ and control, not knockdowns or wild swings. Crawford steadily won the posture battle at mid-range, landed the cleaner single shots, and banked rounds by dictating where and when the engagements happened. The result: a clear unanimous decision, and the coronation of a new undisputed king at 168 pounds.
The moment was as big as the arena that housed it. With more than 70,000 fans packing Allegiant Stadium, the event shattered Las Vegas’ all-time boxing attendance mark and set a new benchmark for a city that has seen it all. The gate was colossal; the spectacle, undeniable. On a night streaming to millions, Crawford didn’t merely participate in the era—he defined it.
Canelo had pockets of success—especially when he corralled Crawford to the ropes—but Bud refused to stand on the train tracks for long. In a matchup many expected to hinge on size and strength, it was timing and placement that told the story.
Crawford’s victory makes him a three-time undisputed champion in the four-belt era—previously at junior welterweight (140) and welterweight (147), and now at super middleweight (168). It’s a feat that vaults him into even loftier historical company and supercharges any pound-for-pound debate. However you stack the all-time lists, the résumé now includes conquering a bigger man who ruled an entire division for years.
The post-fight scenes matched the stakes. Canelo, ever the pro, accepted the defeat with humility, lauding his team and acknowledging the better man on the night. Crawford, in a gesture of respect, even handed back Canelo’s customized belts in the ring—new ones will arrive with Crawford’s name soon enough. Sportsmanship framed the shock: history built on class.
The paths forward are tantalizing. A rematch clause would draw massive intrigue, and the business case is obvious after such a record-setting night. Crawford, meanwhile, can survey a landscape he now owns at 168—or chase legacy in ways few thought possible just a year ago. For Canelo, recalibration doesn’t mean retreat. He’s rebuilt before; he can do it again. The question is less if they meet again than when.
On a night hyped for spectacle, Crawford delivered substance. He climbed two divisions, met a generational champion at his natural weight, and solved the puzzle in real time. In doing so, he didn’t just add belts—he added chapters to boxing history. Three times undisputed isn’t a tagline. It’s a standard. And now, it’s the standard everyone else must chase.
