On Sep. 13, 2025, the boxing spotlight converged in Las Vegas, where a crowd of more than 70,000 fans witnessed a historic showdown between Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Terrence Crawford.
The power of the fighters and the narrative leading up is what made the clash truly remarkable. Canelo, a long established legend of the boxing world, came into the fight as the undisputed super-middleweight champion. Crawford stepped into the middleweight league rather recently, accepting the challenge for the UFC title.
Throughout the buildup and hype around the fight, Crawford pushed for the fight aggressively on social media and in his training. He reportedly declined concessions from the UFC, insisting to meet Canelo on his terms, according to ESPN.
Canelo’s weight and size advantage made him the favorite on paper, and many expected that his strength and power would carry him through the fight. Notably, Crawford’s ambition, in tandem with his storied record at lower weight classes, made this more than a rematch, but a potential passing of the super-middleweight title.
Crawford’s victory was historic; in beating Canelo, he became the first male boxer in the modern era to win undisputed championships in three different weight classes.
The long-dominant force of Canelo Alvarez now walked away without a title. In his remarks after the fight, he admitted he could not “figure out” Crawford’s Style, according to MMA Mania.
However, Canelo put up an extremely good fight. From the opening bell, it was clear that this would be a war of attrition.
“I was surprised it went the full 12 rounds,” said Dhillon Staples, a sophomore accounting major. “I expected a knockout within five or six. After the fight, I definitely respect Crawford much more, I mean I don’t watch much boxing, but I’ve always respected Canelos legacy.”
Crawford fought the entire match southpaw (primarily left handed), using sharp jabs and controlled footwork to keep Canelo guessing. Canelo attempted to assert his physicality early, attacking Crawford with mixed hooks and a stalwart defense.
For a brief period in the fourth and fifth rounds, Canelo had pushed the balance of power with a sharp punch, briefly stunning Crawford before he could establish a counter.
The pivoting point of the fight came in round six. Crawford, while bruised, still stood firm, landing effective inside shots and connecting a clean hook to Canelo’s chin that caused an opening for further attacks.
Round 9 featured an escalation when a clash of heads opened a cut over Crawford’s eye; even so, he responded by landing a crisp combination and engaging in an aggressive exchange with Canelo.
In the later rounds, Crawford’s control tightened. He had outpaced Canelo, often trading freely without showing signs of fatigue or hesitation. In round eleven, Crawford outlasted Canelo decisively, while the following round displayed a closing flurry from Crawford, resulting in the sounding of the final horn.
The judges rendered a unanimous decision: 116-112, 115-113, 115-113, all in Crawford’s favor.
While many in the boxing world predicted Crawford’s victory, Canelo’s resolute record held firm, creating a very split divide on who might take the title.
“I believed in Crawford before the fight, and he didn’t disappoint,” said senior finance major Brett Peterson. “His ring IQ, combinations and ability to adapt mid-fight made the difference. Canelo’s legacy is solid, but I think this result raises real questions about whether he’s past his peak.”
This bout will be studied in boxing as an example of how skill, timing, footwork and adaptability can outweigh pure size or strength. Many agree that Crawford’s composure under pressure and his ability to absorb Canelo’s powerful blows all underline why his victory is not just an upset, but a masterclass.
However, questions in the boxing community remain. At age 37, many argue that Crawford will end his career holding the undisputed super-middleweight status. Many also ask whether Canelo can adjust and reinvent himself after this fight, or if his loss has shifted the balance in the sport.