Bud Crawford Makes History, Outclasses Canelo Alvarez

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LAS VEGAS — Terence “Bud” Crawford cemented his place in boxing history on Saturday night, outclassing Canelo Alvarez to become the first male boxer in the four-belt era to become an undisputed champion in three different weight classes. In a technical masterpiece, Crawford, the naturally smaller man, neutralized the power and pressure of the super middleweight king. Here is a round-by-round recap of how “Bud” won a historic unanimous decision.

Rounds 1-3: The Feeling-Out Process

The fight began as a high-level chess match. Crawford, fighting from a southpaw stance, used his jab to keep Alvarez at a distance. The two fighters exchanged body shots, with Alvarez looking to test Crawford’s ability to handle his size and power. Crawford was elusive, using his footwork and head movement to avoid major damage, while landing his own clean, accurate punches. By the end of the third round, Crawford appeared to be gaining a slight edge, consistently being a step ahead of Alvarez.

Rounds 4-6: Crawford Takes Control

The momentum shifted decisively in favor of Crawford in the middle rounds. He started to open up, landing sharp combinations and straight left hands that visibly snapped Alvarez’s head back. In the sixth round, Crawford landed a particularly significant left that caused swelling under Alvarez’s right eye. Crawford’s confidence soared, and he began to showboat, looking at ease in the ring with the larger man. Alvarez, known for his body work, was having trouble finding a consistent rhythm as Crawford’s defense and timing were on another level.

Rounds 7-9: The Fight Comes Alive

Alvarez, sensing the fight was slipping away, began to press forward with more urgency. He had some success with body shots and inside work, but Crawford was more than up to the task of answering back. The pace picked up significantly in the ninth round when an accidental headbutt caused a cut above Crawford’s right eye. The two men immediately went to war, trading powerful shots in the center of the ring. It was the most entertaining round of the fight, with both fighters looking for a definitive blow, but Crawford’s composure and clean punching allowed him to get the better of the exchanges.

Rounds 10-12: Championship Form

In the final three rounds, Crawford put on a clinic. While Alvarez continued to stalk and hunt for a knockout, Crawford’s slick boxing and sharp counters were too much to handle. Crawford showcased his complete command of the ring, controlling the distance and punishing Alvarez for every miss. In the final minute of the fight, Crawford stepped into the pocket and landed a flurry of combinations, a final statement of his dominance. The final bell rang with both men raising their hands, but it was clear to everyone in attendance and watching at home who had won. The judges’ scorecards of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 confirmed what many had seen: a boxing masterclass that etched Terence Crawford’s name in the history books.