On Sat., Sep. 13, 2025 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the “Pound for Pound” best fighter in the world and now five division champion Terrance “Bud” Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) dethroned the “Face of Boxing,” four division champion, and now former undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) in an exciting fight.
There was a lot at stake for both fighters. Crawford was trying to become the only fighter in men’s boxing history to win an undisputed crown in an unprecedented three weight classes of the four-belt era (WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF). He was also moving up two weight classes going from 154 lbs., where he held the WBA title, and bypassing 160 lbs. to challenge Canelo for the 168 lbs. title.
Canelo, for his part, was defending his titles in the first of a reported lucrative four fight deal with Saudi boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh. Crawford was paid a reported $50 million dollars, while Canelo was reportedly paid $150 million for his services.
The popular streaming platform Netflix broadcast the fight (only its third boxing match to date), which was staged in a sold-out football stadium (Allegiant). The event set a record for attendance in Las Vegas with 70,482 spectators, and it was viewed by a reported 41 million viewers worldwide on Netflix.
At the start of the fight, Crawford established his jab, used good punching combinations, and used his speed to outbox and frustrate Canelo. Canelo tried to use his punching power and his aggression to catch Crawford but with little success.
At the end of 12 rounds, two judges scored the close fight 115-113 for Crawford, while the other judge scored the fight 116-112.
Haiti Liberté scored the fight nine rounds for Crawford and three rounds for Canelo.
With this win, Crawford becomes the new “Face of Boxing” and the new undisputed super middleweight champion of the world. He also surpasses two of his peers, current undisputed heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk, and current Super Bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue, both of whom are two division undisputed champions in the four belt era as well.
So what’s next for Crawford? There is some talk that Crawford and Canelo may fight a rematch because of their first fight’s commercial success. Crawford has said he is willing to grant Canelo a rematch. There is no word, as of this writing, from the Canelo camp on a Crawford vs. Canelo rematch.
Another lucrative fight for Crawford would be against feared WBC light heavyweight (175 lbs.) and WBA “regular” light heavyweight champion David “Mexican Monster” Benevidez (30-0, 24 KOs). Benevidez is also a two-time WBC super middleweight champion.
For years, Canelo avoided fighting Benevidez, who eventually decided to go to the light heavyweight division. Benevidez has never closed the door on dropping back down to super middleweight (168 lbs.) for a Canelo fight, and his camp has already stated they are interested in fighting Crawford should Benavidez defeat Anthony Yarde in a November 2025 bout.
Crawford’s camp has rejected the idea of a fight with Benevidez at this point. Crawford is the new king of boxing now that he has dethroned Canelo. Crawford could rematch Canelo, retire, and go fight exhibitions as is a common practice by mainstream retired and active fighters. Or he could surprise fans and fight Benevidez, move down to 160 lbs. to capture that title for his sixth world title in as many divisions, or rematch with former foe Errol Spence Jr., whom he defeated in an even more spectacular fashion than Canelo back in 2023.
The 41 million viewers who watched the fight now know who Terrance Crawford is thanks to Netflix and Crawford’s spectacular performance. The new king of boxing has now earned the right to pick and choose who he wants to fight.
Boxing Notes
Reports are that WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) was in serious negotiations to fight WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs). It was rumored that the fight could take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which would have been perfect for both fighters.
Lopez has roots in Brooklyn, and Shakur is from neighboring New Jersey, which would have likely sold out the arena there and did well on PPV. Both fighters have gone on social media to say they will fight each other. As of this writing, reports are that Lopez has rejected a whopping $15 million from Turki Alalshikh to fight Shakur.
Prior to this, Lopez rejected another high-profile fight against former undisputed lightweight champion and former WBC junior welterweight champion Devin Haney. Former WBO lightweight and undefeated Keyshawn Davis (13-0, 9, 1NC) is Lopez’s mandatory defense of his title, whom he will have to eventually fight or relinquish his title. There is no word on what Lopez will do next. Lopez is very good at promoting himself and keeping his name by challenging the sport’s top fighters.
Hall of famer and multidivisional champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) returned to boxing this past July after a four year hiatus to challenge current WBC champion Mario Barrios. The fight ended in a controversial draw, although many fans thought Pacquiao had done well enough to win the title as well as the victory. Reports are that Pacquiao (at the age of 46) will continue fighting and is scheduled to return this December on a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) fight card. The front runner as an opponent for Pacquiao appears to be current WBA welterweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero (19-2, 13 KOs).