Las Vegas, Nevada — September 13, 2025 (Allegiant Stadium).
Background & Stakes
The highly anticipated showdown between Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez (undisputed super-middleweight champion) and Terence “Bud” Crawford, undefeated and moving up in weight, had been months in the making. The fight was billed as “Once In A Lifetime” / “There Can Only Be One.” The stakes were high: all four major belts (WBA-Super, WBC, IBF, WBO) plus The Ring belt at super-middleweight were on the line. For Crawford, a win would make boxing history — in the four-belt era, no male fighter had previously held undisputed championships in three separate weight classes. The Guardian+3Wikipedia+3CBSSports.com+3
The Fight & Results
After a full 12 rounds, Terence Crawford emerged victorious over Canelo Álvarez via unanimous decision. Judges scored the bout 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 in Crawford’s favour. Wikipedia+3CBSSports.com+3Reuters+3
Throughout the fight, Crawford’s superior hand speed, movement, and tactical precision enabled him to offset Canelo’s power and customary pressure. Canelo had moments, especially early with body work and attempts to push forward, but Crawford’s counterpunching and ring generalship increasingly dictated the pace. The Guardian+2Reuters+2
Reception & Quotes
Crawford, visibly moved after the verdict, commented:
“I’m not here by coincidence. Canelo is a great champion, I have to take my hat off to him. He’s a great competitor and I have great respect for him. He fought like a champion.” Reuters
Canelo, despite the loss, expressed no regrets about taking big risks:
“I’m a winner for being here. The fact I’m here makes me a winner. I take risks and that’s what I did … My legacy is already there …” Reuters
Undercard Highlights & Event Details
Other bouts on the main card included:
Callum Walsh defeated Fernando Vargas Jr. by unanimous decision at light middleweight. The Guardian+2Bloody Knockout+2
Christian Mbilli vs Lester Martínez ended in a draw at super-middleweight. Reuters+1
Both fighters weighed in at 167.5 pounds, marking a career-high for Crawford. Talksport+1
Attendance figures were record-setting; the crowd was upwards of 70,000 at Allegiant Stadium — one of the biggest live gates in boxing history. The Guardian+2Wikipedia+2
Balanced Reporting — Confirmation vs Allegations
What is certain: Crawford won all the belts via unanimous decision. The judges' scoring is publicly confirmed. The historic significance — becoming the first male boxer in the four-belt era to be undisputed in three divisions — is now part of boxing records. Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2
What remains to be seen or clarified:
Whether there will be rematch clauses or immediate next fights for either fighter.
How judges’ round-by-round scoring will be analyzed in detail (some rounds were reportedly close or controversial among fans).
The financial implications: debate over purses and pay‐per‐view / streaming revenue sharing.
Conclusion & Next Steps
The boxing world now shifts focus to what comes after this landmark bout. Crawford’s win alters the landscape: he holds undisputed super-middleweight titles and enters a rarified legacy status. Canelo, though defeated, remains a major star.
Looking ahead:
Potential negotiations for a rematch, though Crawford may choose legacy bouts rather than risk.
Regulatory bodies may review judging transparency or round scoring.
Fans and analysts will dissect each round and the broader consequences for pound‐for‐pound rankings.
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