Terence Crawford delivered a career-defining performance on Saturday night, moving up two weight divisions to outclass Canelo Álvarez and claim the undisputed super-middleweight championship. The victory, before a record crowd, made Crawford the first male boxer in the four-belt era to become undisputed in three divisions, a feat unmatched since Henry Armstrong in 1938.
Reflecting on the win, Crawford said: 'This is definitely a signature win. Moving up two weight classes, being the B-side, fighting a guy that’s been undefeated in the division, undisputed, taking all his titles, doing everything that I said I was going to do.' He added that he knew he would beat Álvarez 'when he signed the contract,' drawing laughter from the room.
Crawford described the early rounds as controlled, noting that Álvarez was 'trying to figure me out.' He dismissed concerns about Canelo's power, saying he had been hit harder by Egidijus Kavaliauskas in 2019. The fight turned in the sixth round when Crawford began to stand his ground and land sharp left hands, shifting the balance in his favour.
Álvarez, who offered no excuses, admitted: 'We knew Crawford is a great fighter … I tried my best tonight, and I just couldn’t figure out the style.' He went further, declaring: 'I think Crawford is way better than Floyd Mayweather.' Crawford, however, pushed back against comparisons, stating: 'Floyd was the greatest in his era. I’m the greatest in my era. It ain’t no need to compare me to Floyd or Floyd to me.'
Crawford concluded with a message to his doubters: 'The ones that doubted me, they know. I don’t have to say I told you so or rub it in their face. This right here is I told you so.'
