Two legends, one ring…
The landscape of modern boxing is often marked by anticipation, negotiation, and sometimes, frustration. Yet, every so often, the stars align to create a contest that transcends the typical championship bout, a fight that captures the imagination of the entire sporting world. Later this year, on September 12th in the glittering boxing capital of Las Vegas, such an event is set to unfold. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, the reigning, undisputed king of the super-middleweight division, will defend the Ring Magazine, WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles against none other than Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford, the undefeated maestro who has conquered multiple weight classes below. It’s a clash of titans, a battle for pound-for-pound supremacy, and a fight layered with intrigue, legacy implications, and no small amount of controversy.
Saul Alvarez, the flame-haired icon from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, is more than just a boxer; he’s a global phenomenon, the face of the sport for nearly a decade. His journey has been nothing short of remarkable, a testament to skill, resilience, and astute career management. Turning professional at the astonishingly young age of 15 back in 2005, Canelo quickly carved a path through the ranks. His early years were marked by a relentless schedule, honing his craft against older, often overmatched opponents. By 2011, at just 20 years old, he captured his first major world title, the WBC light-middleweight belt, defeating Matthew Hatton. This victory heralded the arrival of a major new force in boxing. Canelo wasn’t just a champion; he possessed a rare combination of power, technical skill, defensive acumen, and crucially, star power. His fanbase grew exponentially, drawn to his exciting style and quiet charisma.
His reign at 154 pounds saw him unify titles against Austin Trout in 2013, showcasing his ability to adapt against a skilled boxer. That same year, however, he experienced his first taste of defeat, a comprehensive boxing lesson administered by the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr. For many young fighters, such a high-profile loss could be detrimental. For Canelo, it proved to be a catalyst for evolution. Under the guidance of his long-time trainer Eddy Reynoso, Alvarez refined his style, adding layers to his game, particularly improving his head movement and counter-punching prowess. He moved up to middleweight, engaging in memorable catchweight bouts against fighters like Erislandy Lara, James Kirkland, and Miguel Cotto, defeating the latter in 2015 to capture the WBC and Ring middleweight titles in a fight that felt like a passing of the torch.
Canelo’s middleweight tenure is perhaps best defined by his epic rivalry with Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin. Their first encounter in 2017 ended in a controversial split draw, a result many felt Golovkin deserved. The rematch a year later was another fiercely contested battle, with Canelo securing a narrow majority decision victory, adding the WBA (Super) belt to his collection. These fights showcased Canelo’s chin, his body punching, and his ability to fight effectively on the front foot and the back foot. Never content to rest on his laurels, Canelo continued to seek challenges across weight divisions. He briefly stepped up to super-middleweight to snatch the WBA (Regular) title from Rocky Fielding in 2018, then returned to middleweight to unify the IBF belt against Daniel Jacobs in 2019.
Perhaps his most audacious move came later that year when he leaped two weight classes to challenge Sergey Kovalev for the WBO light-heavyweight title. Facing a naturally bigger man and a feared puncher, Canelo employed a patient strategy, breaking Kovalev down before delivering a spectacular knockout in the 11th round. This victory made him a four-division world champion, joining an elite club in boxing history. However, it was at 168 pounds, super-middleweight, where Canelo set his sights on ultimate supremacy. In an unprecedented campaign spanning just eleven months from December 2020 to November 2021, Canelo systematically dismantled the division’s best. He outclassed the undefeated Callum Smith to win the WBA (Super) and Ring titles, along with the vacant WBC belt. He forced the slick Billy Joe Saunders to retire on his stool after shattering his orbital bone to add the WBO title. Finally, he methodically broke down Caleb Plant to capture the IBF belt, becoming the first-ever undisputed super-middleweight champion in the four-belt era.
A subsequent attempt to capture another title at light-heavyweight in May 2022 resulted in his second career loss, a clear unanimous decision defeat to the masterful Dmitry Bivol. Following this setback and a trilogy win over an ageing Golovkin, Canelo focused again on the 168lb division. He defended his undisputed status successfully until being stripped of the IBF belt in 2024 for not facing the mandatory challenger, William Scull. However, just recently in May 2025, Canelo faced and defeated Scull, who had picked up the vacant belt, via unanimous decision in Riyadh, thus becoming a two-time undisputed super-middleweight champion and setting the stage for this colossal showdown with Crawford. With a record now standing at 63 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 knockouts, Canelo Alvarez enters this fight as the established force at 168 pounds, a calculating power-puncher known for his vicious body attacks, educated pressure, and superb counter-punching ability.
Facing him across the ring will be a man widely considered his equal, if not superior, in pure boxing skill: Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford. Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, Crawford represents the pinnacle of boxing adaptability and ring intelligence. Like Canelo, Crawford had a solid amateur background, even scoring wins over future champions Mikey and Danny Garcia, though he narrowly missed out on Olympic qualification. He turned professional in 2008, and while his early career didn’t have the immediate spotlight of Canelo’s, he steadily built a reputation as a supremely talented, switch-hitting menace. His breakout performance came in 2014 when he travelled to Scotland to dethrone WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns in his backyard, showcasing his poise and technical superiority. He defended that title twice, including a thrilling knockout victory over Yuriorkis Gamboa, before deciding to move up.
It was at light-welterweight (140 pounds) that Crawford truly established himself as an elite force. He captured the vacant WBO title against Thomas Dulorme in 2015 and quickly added the WBC belt by dominating Viktor Postol in 2016. His crowning achievement at the weight came in August 2017 when he faced fellow unified champion Julius Indongo. In a stunning display of destructive precision, Crawford knocked out Indongo in just three rounds to become the undisputed light-welterweight champion, holding all four major belts (WBO, WBC, IBF, WBA) simultaneously. He was the first man to achieve this feat at 140lbs in the four-belt era and only the second male boxer overall at the time, after Bernard Hopkins.
Having conquered one division, Crawford immediately set his sights on another, moving up to the glamourous welterweight division (147 pounds). Many questioned whether his power and dominance would translate against bigger, stronger opponents. Crawford answered emphatically. In June 2018, he dismantled Jeff Horn to win the WBO welterweight title. He then proceeded to reel off a string of impressive stoppage victories against formidable opposition, including Amir Khan, Kell Brook, and Shawn Porter. His performances were characterised by his seamless ability to switch stances from southpaw to orthodox, his pinpoint accuracy, underrated power, and exceptional finishing instincts. He seemed to dissect opponents, figuring out their weaknesses before clinically exploiting them.
The fight the world demanded at welterweight was a showdown with fellow undefeated champion Errol Spence Jr. After years of anticipation and negotiation hurdles, the fight finally materialized in July 2023. What was expected to be a competitive, potentially fifty-fifty fight turned into a startlingly one-sided masterclass. Crawford systematically broke Spence down, dropping him multiple times before securing a ninth-round TKO victory. It was a career-defining performance that cemented Crawford’s status as the undisputed welterweight champion and, in the eyes of many, the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet. This historic win also made Crawford the first male boxer ever to become undisputed in two different weight classes in the four-belt era, a truly remarkable achievement.
Following the Spence triumph, Crawford further demonstrated his ambition by moving up again, this time to super-welterweight (154 pounds). In August 2024, he faced the dangerous Israil Madrimov for the WBA and interim WBO titles, winning a comfortable unanimous decision. Now, holding those belts and an immaculate record of 41 wins, no losses, with 31 knockouts, Crawford is taking arguably the biggest gamble of his career. He is skipping the middleweight division entirely and jumping straight to super-middleweight (168 pounds) to challenge the established king, Canelo Alvarez. It’s a move fraught with risk, requiring him to overcome a significant size and natural weight disadvantage against one of the most powerful and proven fighters in the sport.
The stylistic matchup is utterly fascinating, a classic confrontation between contrasting philosophies and physical attributes. Canelo, the orthodox fighter, is a master of calculated aggression. He stalks his opponents, applying educated pressure, cutting off the ring effectively. His defence relies heavily on upper body and head movement, slipping and rolling with punches while staying in position to unleash devastating counter-hooks, particularly to the body. His left hook to the liver is legendary, a weapon that has debilitated numerous opponents. He possesses genuine one-punch knockout power in either hand and is incredibly strong physically at 168 pounds. He is patient, often taking the early rounds to download information before increasing his offensive output.
Crawford, primarily a southpaw, also comfortable fighting orthodox, is the epitome of fluidity and adaptability. His defence is built on footwork, distance control, and sharp reflexes. He uses his long reach and exceptional jab to dictate the range, often frustrating opponents before they can even get into position to punch. His ability to switch stances seamlessly disrupts rhythm and creates unusual angles for his attacks. Crawford is a clinical counter-puncher himself, possessing deceptive power and hand speed. His ring IQ is considered among the best in the sport; he makes adjustments on the fly, identifies openings with uncanny precision, and possesses a killer instinct when he senses an opponent is hurt. He isn’t just technically brilliant; he’s mean in the ring, willing to trade when necessary, always with calculated intent.
The tactical battle promises to be a high-stakes chess match. Canelo’s path to victory likely involves negating Crawford’s movement and speed advantage. He must effectively cut off the ring, forcing Crawford towards the ropes or corners where his elusiveness is diminished. Once in range, Canelo needs to invest heavily in body work early and often. Attacking Crawford’s body could slow down his legs, reduce his ability to switch stances effectively, and potentially create openings upstairs later in the fight. Canelo needs to impose his strength and power, making Crawford feel the difference in weight classes, forcing him into exchanges where Canelo’s heavier hands could be decisive. Patience will be key, avoiding reckless lunges that Crawford could expertly counter.
For Crawford, the challenge is immense, however, far from insurmountable. His primary weapon will be his movement and boxing IQ. He needs to utilize lateral movement, angles, and feints to keep Canelo turning and resetting, preventing the Mexican star from planting his feet to deliver power shots. Establishing his jab, from both stances, will be crucial for controlling distance and disrupting Canelo’s rhythm. Crawford must resist the urge to stand and trade for prolonged periods, instead focusing on sharp, accurate counter-punching, exploiting the openings Canelo presents when he commits to his own offence. Speed will be his ally – speed of hand and speed of foot. He might look to outwork Canelo, potentially targeting the champion’s perceived tendency to fade slightly in the later rounds. The biggest question mark remains whether Crawford’s power will be sufficient to earn Canelo’s respect at 168 pounds and whether his chin can withstand Canelo’s proven power at this weight.
While the boxing world eagerly anticipates this incredible matchup, the fight doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Its announcement immediately sparked discussion about another fighter: David Benavidez. Known as ‘The Mexican Monster’, Benavidez is an undefeated (30-0, 24 KOs) former two-time WBC super-middleweight champion, known for his relentless pressure, volume punching, and concussive power. He holds the record as the youngest super-middleweight champion in history. Many purists and hardcore fans believe Benavidez, a natural 168-pounder (though recently moved up to light-heavyweight himself, capturing WBA and WBC titles there) with Mexican heritage, represents the biggest and most dangerous challenge to Canelo in the division. For years, calls for a Canelo vs. Benavidez fight have grown louder, fueled by Benavidez’s impressive performances and outspoken desire for the bout.
The perception among critics is that Canelo has actively avoided facing Benavidez, opting instead for challenges perceived as less threatening or, in Crawford’s case, significantly smaller. Benavidez himself has voiced this frustration, suggesting Canelo sees him as the “most dangerous fighter” and is unwilling to take the risk. Canelo, for his part, has dismissed these claims, questioning Benavidez’s resume and stating he’s earned the right to choose his opponents after fighting “all the best” at 168. Choosing to fight Crawford, a fighter moving up two weight classes, over the man many see as his prime divisional rival, has undeniably cast a shadow over this super-fight for some observers. They see it as Canelo potentially cherry-picking a smaller, albeit supremely skilled, opponent while avoiding the brute force and natural size of Benavidez.
Regardless of the Benavidez situation, the Canelo vs. Crawford fight is undeniably a mega-event with the potential to shatter records. Pitting two of the sport’s biggest stars, both consistently ranked at the apex of pound-for-pound lists, against each other for the undisputed super-middleweight championship guarantees enormous global interest. Pay-per-view numbers are expected to be colossal, and the gate receipts in Las Vegas could reach historic levels. It’s the kind of fight that transcends the boxing bubble and captures mainstream attention. Crawford, despite his incredible credentials and undefeated record, will likely enter the ring as a slight underdog, purely due to the physical realities of moving up 14 pounds from his last undisputed weight class to face an established and powerful champion like Canelo. He is the current WBA and interim WBO Super-Welterweight champion, although the leap to 168 is significant.
The stakes could not be higher. For Canelo Alvarez, a victory would add another legendary name to his already Hall of Fame resume, silencing doubters about his willingness to face elite P4P challengers (even if the weight disparity remains a talking point) and further solidifying his reign at 168 pounds. It would be another massive commercial success, reinforcing his position as boxing’s cash king. A loss, however, particularly to a smaller man moving up, would be a significant blow to his legacy. For Terence Crawford, this fight represents an opportunity for transcendent greatness. A victory would be arguably one of the most audacious and impressive feats in modern boxing history – becoming undisputed in a third weight class, defeating the face of boxing who is naturally much larger. It would catapult him into the conversation of the greatest fighters of all time, achieving something truly unprecedented in the four-belt era. Defeat would tarnish his perfect record, although it likely wouldn’t diminish his standing significantly, given the immense challenge he’s undertaken.
On September 12th, Las Vegas will witness a collision of styles, eras, and ambitions. Will Canelo’s power, strength, and calculated pressure prove too much for the smaller man? Or will Crawford’s sublime skill, speed, and adaptability conquer the size difference and shock the world? It’s power versus precision, size versus speed, undisputed versus undisputed ambition. Amidst the glamour, the potential records, and the lingering shadow of David Benavidez, two legends will step into the ring to answer these questions and etch another unforgettable chapter into the annals of boxing history.
It’s going to be classic, not seen for decades…
The Boxingmadman – follow me on X (Twitter) / Bluesky
The Boxing Mad Man 
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