On September 13, two of this generation’s most accomplished boxers, Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, will meet in a highly anticipated showdown to settle a years-long debate over pound-for-pound supremacy.
Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), the WBA junior middleweight champion, is making a bold move up two weight classes to challenge Alvarez (63-3-3, 39 KOs), the undisputed super middleweight champion and boxing’s biggest star for the better part of a decade. While Canelo’s drawing power is undiminished, he faces an opponent who many consider the superior fighter. Crawford, however, has been less active, fighting just once a year since 2020, with his last bout being a decision win over Israil Madrimov in August 2024.
For Crawford, 37, a victory over the 35-year-old Alvarez would make him the only male boxer in the four-belt era to become an undisputed champion in three different weight divisions, cementing his legacy. For Canelo, a win would elevate his standing after a lackluster decision victory against William Scull in May and reassert his dominance.
Canelo’s Best Performance: Unanimous Decision Win vs. Gennadiy Golovkin
Sept. 17, 2022 — T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
The final chapter of the trilogy with Gennadiy Golovkin, while not as action-packed as the first two encounters, stands as Canelo’s most significant victory. Four years after their second bout, Alvarez delivered a clear, tactical win over a 40-year-old Golovkin, providing a definitive end to their rivalry.
The performance was also a perfect response to his loss against Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight just four months prior. Defending his undisputed super middleweight crown with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112, Alvarez erased any lingering debate from their controversial 2017 draw and his narrow majority decision win in 2018. “Today, Canelo is better,” Golovkin conceded post-fight.
Crawford’s Best Performance: Ninth-Round TKO vs. Errol Spence Jr.
July 29, 2023 — T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
In a career-defining fight, Terence Crawford delivered a technical masterclass, flooring his rival Errol Spence Jr. three times en route to a dominant ninth-round stoppage. While Spence later revealed he had undergone cataract surgery and had previously suffered a detached retina, it does not diminish Crawford’s flawless performance.
From the opening bell, Crawford’s counterpunching was impeccable. He dropped Spence in the second round, twice more in the seventh, and was landing a barrage of unanswered shots when the referee intervened. The victory made him the undisputed welterweight champion and solidified his position atop pound-for-pound lists, marking his most significant win before the matchup with Alvarez.
Canelo’s Best KO: 11th-Round KO vs. Sergey Kovalev
Nov. 2, 2019 — MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Moving up two divisions to challenge a renowned power-puncher, Canelo produced his most spectacular knockout against light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev. After a patient and tactical start, Alvarez unleashed a devastating combination in the 11th round. A powerful left hook stunned Kovalev, and a final right cross sent him collapsing into the ropes.
The victory not only earned Alvarez the WBO light heavyweight belt but also made him a four-division world champion, joining an elite group of Mexican boxing legends that includes Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, and Jorge Arce.
Crawford’s Best KO: Ninth-Round TKO vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa
June 28, 2014 — CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Nebraska
In his first world title defense, Crawford overcame an early challenge from the undefeated and aggressive Yuriorkis Gamboa in an intense brawl. The Cuban Olympic gold medalist won the initial rounds before Crawford sent him to the canvas in the fifth.
After dropping Gamboa again in the eighth, Crawford sealed the victory in the ninth with a perfectly timed right uppercut that ended the fight emphatically. Although Gamboa was down four times, his relentless pressure helped create a memorable and action-packed contest.
Canelo’s Most Important Fight: Split Draw vs. Gennadiy Golovkin
Sept. 16, 2017 — T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
While the controversial split draw drew heavy criticism—including one judge’s widely disputed 118-110 scorecard for Canelo—it proved to be a pivotal moment in his career. The public backlash, which included boos from his own fans, appeared to motivate Alvarez, spurring him to achieve definitive wins in the rematches and conquer two more weight divisions. The fight itself was a tactical affair, with Golovkin pressing the action and Alvarez looking to counter, but its true importance lay in the professional growth it ignited in Canelo.
Crawford’s Most Important Fight: Unanimous Decision Win vs. Ricky Burns
March 1, 2014 — SEC Centre, Glasgow, Scotland
Crawford traveled to Glasgow as a talented but relatively unknown prospect to challenge local hero Ricky Burns for the WBO lightweight title. In front of 10,000 hostile fans, the 26-year-old delivered a sublime performance, dominating from the fourth round on to win a clear decision.
This victory was the launching pad for his career, transforming him from a prospect to a world champion. In his first and only professional fight outside the United States, Crawford’s composure, speed, and skill were on full display, beginning his ascent to the top of the sport. “The best man won on the night,” Burns said afterward.
Canelo’s Most Dominant Win: Eighth-Round TKO vs. Billy Joe Saunders
May 8, 2021 — AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
In a unification bout before a record indoor boxing crowd of 73,126, Alvarez delivered a spiteful and systematic beatdown of Billy Joe Saunders. The fight ended abruptly after the eighth round when a pulverizing right uppercut from Canelo fractured Saunders’ orbital bone, forcing his corner to stop the contest.
At the time of the stoppage, Alvarez was ahead on all three scorecards. The victory added the WBO super middleweight title to his WBC and WBA belts and re-established him as the consensus No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Crawford’s Most Dominant Win: Sixth-Round TKO vs. Amir Khan
April 20, 2019 — Madison Square Garden, New York
Facing a fighter renowned for his hand speed, Crawford dismantled Amir Khan with punishing precision. He dropped Khan in the first round and proceeded to dominate the fight, switching stances and landing punches with pinpoint accuracy.
The bout ended in the sixth round after an unintentional low blow from Crawford. With Khan unable to continue, his corner stopped the fight, giving Crawford the victory. He was well ahead on the scorecards and, according to CompuBox, had landed twice as many punches as his opponent, showcasing his ability to neutralize a dangerous stylistic threat.
Canelo’s Most Disappointing Performance: Unanimous Decision Win vs. William Scull
May 3, 2025 — ANB Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Canelo’s most recent outing was an anticlimactic and largely forgettable affair. In his Saudi Arabian debut, he cruised to a one-sided decision over William Scull in a fight that drew widespread criticism for its lack of action. According to CompuBox, Alvarez’s 152 thrown punches were the second-fewest in a 12-round fight in the company’s 40-year history. The underwhelming performance was likely a case of doing just enough to secure the lucrative matchup with Crawford, who he faced off with in the ring immediately after the win.
Crawford’s Most Disappointing Performance: Unanimous Decision Win vs. Israil Madrimov
Aug. 3, 2024 — BMO Stadium, Los Angeles
Though he captured the WBA junior middleweight title to become a four-division champion, Crawford’s victory over Israil Madrimov was a grueling, tactical affair. Madrimov’s strength and discipline presented a significant challenge, pushing Crawford the full 12 rounds for the first time since 2016.
Despite earning a clear decision, Crawford admitted his disappointment afterward. “He’s strong… he got me to Round 12,” he said. While his jab was effective in the later rounds, Madrimov found success early, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that Crawford will need to address against the much larger Alvarez.
