After his points victory in Las Vegas, the American is now the first undisputed world champion in three weight classes.
US boxing star Terence Crawford has won the mega-fight against Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, becoming the first boxer to be undisputed world champion in three weight classes. In the huge Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders football team, the still undefeated Crawford secured the IBF, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles by unanimous decision after twelve thrilling rounds in front of over 70,000 spectators.
“Canelo is a great champion and boxed that way again today, but God blessed me and made this night mine,” said the 37-year-old Crawford after his 42nd victory in his 42nd professional fight, which could also have been his last: “I don’t know, I have to sit down with my team.”
“Bud” Crawford, who is also listed as the undisputed champion in the super lightweight and welterweight divisions, had gained a lot of muscle mass for the duel in Las Vegas and dominated the fight. All three judges ultimately saw him ahead, albeit by a narrower margin than expected after the fight, with scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113. For Alvarez, who is two years younger, it was his third defeat in his 68th professional fight. He had previously lost to Floyd Mayweather and Dmitri Biwol. The era of the Mexican folk hero is coming to an end. Alvarez, who has long since turned his nickname Canelo (English: cinnamon), given to him because of his reddish-brown hair, into a fighting and brand name, had to take a lot of punishment against Crawford. The Mexican, famous for his almost indestructible chin, seemed quite unimpressed by the American’s hard hits. Overall, however, Alvarez was unable to land enough of his own blows.
