Terence “Bud” Crawford solidified his place in boxing history on September 13, 2025, with a unanimous decision victory over Canelo Álvarez at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Now he’s moving onto bigger things, with Turki Alalshikh hinting at his next opponent already.
The judges scored the bout 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 in favor of Crawford, who became the first male boxer to capture undisputed titles in three weight classes.
By moving up two divisions and overcoming the highly accomplished Alvarez, Crawford delivered one of the most significant performances of his career, earning recognition as one of the sport’s all-time elite fighters.
Crawford’s performance was characterized by precision, speed, and strategic discipline. Despite Álvarez’s size and power, Crawford maintained composure throughout the fight, effectively managing distance and capitalizing on openings.
Observers praised his ability to execute his game plan while navigating the challenges of a larger, experienced opponent.
The victory marked Alvarez’s first loss at super middleweight and further enhanced Crawford’s reputation for adaptability and skill across multiple divisions.
Proposed superfight with David Benavidez
Following Crawford’s victory, Saudi sports official Turki Alalshikh suggested a potential mega-fight against David Benavidez, asking whether the former champion could still make the 168-pound weight limit.
Benavidez previously sought a title opportunity against Canelo at super middleweight but did not receive it and subsequently moved up to light heavyweight.
With Crawford now the undisputed champion at 168 pounds, a match between the two would provide Benavidez a long-awaited opportunity to compete for a major title.
Analysts indicate that while Benavidez possesses a physical size advantage, Crawford’s recent performance against Alvarez positions him as the clear favorite.
Crawford’s combination of speed, timing, and defensive awareness, coupled with his proven success in multiple weight classes, would present significant challenges to any opponent.
Fans and promoters have expressed considerable interest in the matchup, which could rank among the most anticipated fights of the year.
What did Crawford say about his next fight?
Crawford’s post-fight statements reflect both respect for Alvarez and careful consideration of his next career steps.
“I’ve got to sit down with my team and we’ll talk about it,” Crawford detailed regarding future fights, leaving open the possibility for high-profile matchups before retirement.
“He’s a strong champion, I’ve got nothing but respect for him. He fought like a champion today. We knew what he was trying to do: the wide hooks. He knew I was faster, but he then respected my power.”
Regarding his own strategy, Crawford laid out just how he defeated the Mexican.
“I felt like I had to separate myself, I didn’t want to eat too soon, but when the time came, I let my hands go. I was looking at his body language, things like that, trying to amp himself up. I’m not going to feed into that and give him the opportunity.”
His disciplined approach enabled him to remain effective while controlling the pace of the fight.
At 38 years old, Crawford’s career is entering its final stages, yet his recent victory demonstrates that he remains capable of competing at the highest level.
A potential showdown with Benavidez would represent another opportunity to extend his legacy and further cement his standing among boxing’s modern greats.
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