This Saturday, the boxing world holds its breath as Terence Crawford, a four-division champion, takes on the undisputed super middleweight king, Canelo Alvarez, in a highly anticipated clash in Las Vegas. This isn't just another fight; it's a historic showdown. Crawford, aiming for an unprecedented feat, is stepping up two weight classes to challenge Alvarez for his titles, seeking to become the first male boxer to achieve undisputed champion status in three different weight divisions.
Crawford, boasting an undefeated record of 41-0 with 31 knockouts, has already conquered the super lightweight and welterweight divisions, claiming all four belts in each. However, he enters Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, as the underdog against the Mexican boxing legend, Alvarez. Alvarez, a four-division champion himself, holds a formidable record of 63-2-2 with 39 knockouts and is the only fighter to achieve undisputed status at super middleweight – a feat he accomplished twice.
While Crawford possesses a slight height and reach advantage, Alvarez's significant weight advantage is expected to play a crucial role. Crawford has visibly trained to increase his weight, but whether it will be enough remains a key question.
This mega-fight is promoted by Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season, part of Alvarez's lucrative four-fight deal. The bout will be streamed globally by Netflix, further highlighting its global reach and significance. The atmosphere is electric, with thousands attending the pre-fight press conference. Alvarez, aiming for a decisive victory after a period without a knockout win, vows to give his all, emphasizing his intention to prove his status as the best.
Many question Crawford's ability to inflict damage on Alvarez, despite his increased muscle mass. Alvarez, while perhaps showing signs of slowing down in recent bouts, still retains his formidable counter-punching skills, posing a significant threat if Crawford pushes the action. Crawford, however, remains unconcerned, confident and ready to defy expectations. He embraces his underdog status, directly addressing his critics and promising to show the world what they have been missing.
He’s even playfully dismissed rumors of a shoulder injury circulating on social media, adding another layer of intrigue to this already explosive matchup. This fight promises not only a thrilling spectacle but also a potential rewriting of boxing history. Will Crawford achieve the impossible? Only time will tell.
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Originally published at: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/9/12/crawford-chases-boxing-history-in-alvarez-title-fight
