
Terence Crawford stunned Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez to claim the undisputed super middleweight world boxing crown on Saturday, becoming the first man to win undisputed titles in three weight divisions. In a fight of razor-thin margins, Crawford poured it on in the closing rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory, improving his unblemished record to 42-0 with 31 knockouts
Crawford, 37, had jumped up two weight categories to vie for history, having already counted undisputed titles at super lightweight and welterweight among his titles in four weight divisions. He silenced critics who claimed his sparkling resume was packed with sub-standard opponents and quieted a raucously pro-Alvarez crowd of 70,482 at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders.
Judge Steve Weisfeld scored the bout 116-112 for Crawford, while Tim Cheatham and Max DeLuca scored it 115-113 for the American, who had nothing but praise for his opponent. Alvarez, 35 and a world champion in four divisions, fell to 63-3-2. Crawford frustrated Alvarez with his agility and speed, losing none of his quickness as he stepped up to the 168-pound (76.2-kg) category.
He weighed in at the same 167.5 pounds as Alvarez, a career high for Crawford, who had never fought above 147 pounds until last year when he weighed 153.5 in a unanimous decision victory over Israil Madrimov.
Alvarez, boxing's biggest star for the past decade, couldn't get at him, Crawford using his jab and landing combinations with a vengeance in the closing rounds after wearing the champion down.
"I told you all I’m not here by coincidence, God blessed me and me made this event and this night just for me. I’ve got nothing for respect for Canelo, I’m a big fan of Canelo and he fought like a champion today."
In the final round, Crawford lands straight on Canelo. Canelo tries to lunge but gets a smack with a right hand. Crawford smiles and sends Canelo backward with a hard left hand. And here comes the final bell. Terence Crawford has defeated Saul Canelo by UD.
Both fighters are desperate for the lead. Canelo lands one punch on Crawford but eats two. Crawford lands a uppercut and is beating Canelo in every aspect. He rips his opponent with a three-punch combination as Canelo is looking to fading fast. 108-101 to Crawford.
Crawford gives a hard one-two to stall Canelo's movement as the duo exchange punches. Crawford moves back an circles away. Canelo tries to get hold of Crawford but can't get hold of him. 98-92 for Crawford.
Crawford is unstoppable. He gets better of Canelo through multiple combinations and gets his opposition's head back. Canelo looked to be in lead with a small cut on Crawford's head and land a right hand. But Crawford returns on right back as his movement stalls Canelo from attacking. 88-83 to Crawford.
Crawford begins with delivering a jab, then rushes to the body. Alvarez has a combo to the body now. Bud makes excellent use of his level changes, spacing, and redirection. A number of times, they are in the clinch. Alvarez appears to be irritated and disturbed as he tries to understand Crawford.
Crawford is accelerating and making some forceful shots. Canelo is attempting to make a shot that could change the outcome of the fight while walking the opponent down. Canelo is seen striking Crawford's arms while stealing anything he can. Crawford is momentarily in Alvarez's corner, but Bud escapes danger.
Canelo enters with a searing left hand, and Crawford catches him. The champion took notice of that. Bud is now grinning. Between the two, Round 5 is attempting to encroach on the ring real estate.
After exchanging body blows, Crawford delivers a clean one-two. He has Crawford in his luggage.
Canelo wraps Crawford's guard with a hook. He returns to the body a few moments later. Crawford receives a sharp counterattack. The champion lands a piercing body shot and followed it with another one.
Canelo is touched by Bud, who is releasing his hands and launching into his offensive.
Crawford manages the shot effectively, and Canelo lands cleanly upstairs.
After another shot upstairs, Canelo moves on to the body. He eats two whiplashing left hooks while he is walking Crawford down
Crawford uses good space to get a shot past Alvarez's defense. "Bud" is now using a few jabs to break through Alvarez' defense. As Canelo strikes the body, he receives counterpunches from people upstairs. Canelo is now repaying the favor by countering the body. Action is picking up in this close round.
Crawford continued to jab at Canelo while maintaining the southpaw posture. However, the champion responds to the challenger with a body shot. Crawford fires back a few shots after Alvarez buries a body shot. The action is getting more intense.
Crawford hits the body after opening from the southpaw position. Alvarez appears to be a little larger than Crawford. The first minute is spent by both men downloading data and making reads.
Canelo has already taken the lead. The first is blocked as he launches a huge right hand. The second is a body strike that falls with a boom.
Both fighters seem cautious, but Walsh trips himself and falls as Vargas lands a shot on him. Walsh is pressing forward.
The co-main event of the night, Callum Walsh vs. Fernando Vargas Jr in a Super Welterweight fight, begins
Callum Walsh vs Fernando Vargas Jr.
Christian Mbilli vs Lester Martinez
Mohammed Alakel vs Travis Kent Crawford
Middleweight: Brandon Adams def. Serhii Bohachuk (unanimous decision)
Heavyweight: Jermaine Franklin def. Ivan Dychko (unanimous decision)
Super Featherweight: Reito Tsutsumi def. Javier Martinez (TKO, Round 1)
Super Lightweight: Sultan Al-Mohammed def. Martin Caraballo (unanimous decision)
Light Heavyweight: Raiko Santana def. Steven Nelson (TKO, Round 1)
Super Middleweight: Marco Verde def. Sona Akale (TKO, Round 4)
Reports have suggested that the Saturday night showdown will skip the national anthems for both the US and Mexico.
If true, this will be a rare occasion in the boxing landscape, especially for an event celebrating Mexican Independence Day.
MrBeast was dropped to the ground by boxing legend Mike Tyson on Saturday night, minutes before the bout between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The YouTube creator took a body shot from Tyson that sent him to the floor.