Legendary Clashes on the Horizon
As the boxing world gears up for the monumental showdown between Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Terence 'Bud' Crawford on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, fans are revisiting the career-defining moments that have shaped these two titans. This historic clash, set to be streamed globally on Netflix, pits the undisputed super middleweight champion Alvarez against the undefeated, three-division king Crawford in front of an expected crowd of over 70,000. The fight, backed by Riyadh Season and promoted by Turki Al-Sheikh, carries an estimated purse of $200 million, underscoring its significance in the sport.
The journey to this mega-fight has been marked by intense negotiations and public anticipation. Initially reported in January 2025, the bout faced uncertainty when Alvarez entered talks to face Jake Paul, but a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season solidified the matchup. A dramatic face-off occurred after Alvarez reclaimed his IBF super middleweight title against William Scull on May 3, setting the stage for this epic encounter.
Career-Defining Battles of Canelo Alvarez
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, with a record of 63 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, including 39 knockouts, has faced a myriad of challenges that have cemented his status as one of boxing's elite. One of his most notable performances came against Billy Joe Saunders in May 2021, where he unified three super middleweight titles with a dominant display, forcing Saunders to retire on his stool after the eighth round due to a fractured orbital bone. This victory showcased Alvarez's ability to adapt and overpower even the most skilled opponents.
Another pivotal moment was his knockout of Sergey Kovalev in November 2019, where he moved up to light heavyweight to claim the WBO title with an 11th-round stoppage. However, Alvarez has also faced adversity, notably in his loss to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022 at light heavyweight, where he struggled against Bivol's size and precision, marking a rare setback. These fights, among others, highlight Alvarez's resilience and willingness to test himself across weight classes.
Terence Crawford's Unbeaten Legacy
Terence 'Bud' Crawford enters the ring with an unblemished record of 40 wins, no losses, and 31 knockouts, a testament to his dominance across three weight divisions. His most defining moment arguably came against Errol Spence Jr. in July 2023, where he unified the welterweight division with a ninth-round TKO, displaying unparalleled skill and power. This performance solidified Crawford as one of the pound-for-pound best in the sport.
Crawford's knockout of Kell Brook in November 2020 further demonstrated his devastating finishing ability, stopping the former champion in the fourth round with a perfectly timed right hand. Even in fights where he faced challenges, such as against Shawn Porter in November 2021, Crawford adapted brilliantly, securing a 10th-round stoppage to retain his WBO welterweight title. As he prepares to jump two weight classes to face Alvarez, Crawford's trainer Brian McIntyre hinted at a strategy targeting Alvarez's tendency to slow down in later rounds, suggesting a tactical battle awaits.