Terence Crawford dominated Canelo Alvarez in a stunning display of skill and strategy. Crawford won a unanimous decision and grabbed all four of Alvarez's super middleweight belts.
The fight lived up to its billing as a generational showdown. Crawford's speed, angles, and precision frustrated Alvarez, who has dominated the super middleweight division for years. Alvarez couldn't find a way to land his signature power punches or apply his usual relentless pressure.
Crawford's game plan played a crucial role in his victory. He said, "I wanted to come out orthodox, but my coaches said southpaw will kill him. That's what we did tonight." This decision proved to be a masterstroke, as Crawford's southpaw stance neutralized Alvarez's strengths.
"We knew what he was trying to do: the wide hooks. He knew I was faster, but he then respected my power," Crawford observed after the fight. His ability to switch between orthodox and southpaw stances kept Alvarez guessing throughout the bout.
Crawford's win puts him in elite company. He's now the first male fighter to become undisputed champion in three separate weight classes, cementing his place among the sport's all-time greats.
In a touching display of sportsmanship, Crawford returned all the belts to Alvarez at the post-fight press conference. This gesture, a tradition in boxing where new champions sometimes allow former titleholders to keep their belts briefly, showed that respect can transcend rivalries in the ring.
Crawford's performance and his post-fight gesture proved that greatness in boxing isn't just about what happens during the fight. It's also about how a champion conducts themselves outside the ring.
