Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez suffered a painful and decisive defeat at the hands of Terence “Bud” Crawford. During the highly anticipated bout, Canelo found himself unable to withstand Crawford’s relentless attack, absorbing several punishing power shots that left him visibly shaken. Though Canelo managed to land several clean punches, they were not enough to secure the victory, as Crawford walked away with all the glory and the titles.
After months of intense preparation, it was Crawford who proved to be the superior fighter inside the ring. From the opening bell, the American came in determined to dethrone Canelo, and through a sharp strategy and exceptional power, he executed his plan to perfection.
Shakur Stevenson praises Canelo
Shakur Stevenson, a close ally of Crawford and one of his strongest supporters, had every reason to celebrate his friend’s dominant win at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. Yet, despite his loyalty to Crawford, Stevenson took a moment to acknowledge and praise Canelo for his courage and exceptional career. The Mexican superstar has now suffered only three defeats throughout his professional journey, against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Dmitry Bivol, and now Terence Crawford.
As the fight unfolded, it became clear that Crawford’s preparation and tactical approach gave him a decisive edge. His footwork was key, allowing him to move in and out of range, landing precise combinations while avoiding Canelo’s counters. Round after round, Canelo’s belts slipped further from his grasp, and by the final bell, there was little doubt about the outcome.
The judges’ scorecards reflected what most of the audience had already witnessed, a dominant performance by Crawford. All three judges scored the fight in his favor, awarding him a unanimous decision victory.
In the aftermath of the bout, Stevenson made sure to give Canelo his due respect. He acknowledged that while Crawford’s performance was outstanding, Canelo’s willingness to take on the toughest opponents separates him from many others in the sport.
Respect to @Canelo. It’s a lot of soft fighters in the sport who [are] scared to fight against other great fighters. But salute to u champ, [for] not being scared to put it on the line against everybody. U are a Legend!!” Stevenson wrote on social media.
What comes next
With Saturday night’s loss, Canelo’s record now stands at 63-3-2. In his post-fight comments, the Mexican icon hinted at the possibility of a rematch, expressing his determination to return stronger and reclaim his place at the top.
Crawford, on the other hand, has not committed to an immediate second fight. He indicated that he plans to take some time to rest and reflect with his team before deciding whether to face Canelo again.
Still, the boxing world is abuzz with excitement, with many fans and analysts clamoring to see Crawford back in the ring soon. After such a commanding victory over one of the sport’s biggest stars, there is growing anticipation for what lies ahead in his career – and whether the next chapter will involve another showdown with Canelo Álvarez.
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