Crawford Makes History: A New Three-Division Undisputed Champion

The Fight That Shifted the Landscape

With the sunshine shining on the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on September 13, 2025, boxing would further cut a memorable chapter in its historical record. Bud Crawford entered the ring and went two weight classes up to fight Canelo Alvarez, who was already a household name and one of the elite unified champions in the sports arena. What ensued was a masterpiece of dexterity, timing, and ring IQ: Crawford maneuvered around the size, pressure, and strength that Alvarez would have brought to bear on him to emerge victorious through unanimous decision. The judges voted it 116-112, 115-113, 115-113, in support of Crawford.

That victory gave Crawford the title of undisputed champion in three weight divisions in the modern era of four-belt boxing. Now he not only makes the leap and outstrips in this one feat other arms such as Naoya Inoue and Oleksandr Usyk, who had previously become undisputed champions in two divisions.

Tale of the Tape & Key Info

Crawford’s Victory: Strategy, Execution, Heart

Crawford’s win over Canelo wasn’t just about moving up in weight. It was about doing so with craft:

• Speed & Elusiveness Over Brute Force: Many expected Canelo’s power and pressure to be overwhelming. Instead, Crawford used superior movement, deft footwork, and defensive timing to avoid being caught in damage phases, especially when Alvarez tried to impose himself.

• Smarter Countering: Every time Alvarez built momentum, Crawford responded with crisp combinations. He didn’t try to out-power Canelo so much as outthink him, choosing moments, creating angles, and exploiting opportunities.

• Adaptation and Conditioning: Moving up two weight classes isn’t just about strength; it’s about endurance, stamina, adjusting to slightly heavier gloves (or equivalent), and possible loss of speed if size becomes a burden. Crawford seemed comfortable — his performance stayed sharp, focused, and composed throughout.

What Was at Stake

This fight carried more than just belts: it carried legacy.

• For Crawford: A chance to cement himself not only as an elite of his division(s), but across divisions. To answer critics who said he’d never fight Canelo, or that moving up was too risky. This win is a marker of greatness across weight classes.

• For Canelo: Reputation was on the line. He has already built an extraordinary CV with world titles in multiple weight classes, undefeated in many high-profile fights. Losing to Crawford under these conditions means his reign, his bargaining power, and public perception shift.

The Undercard & Supporting Acts

Fights beneath the main event matter. Here’s what stood out:

• Christian M’billi vs. Lester Martinez: A gut-check war over ten rounds ended in a split draw (93-97, 96-94, 95-95) that many fans felt was too close to call. Their brawl style, exchanging heavily, showed hunger and willingness to test limits.

• Callum Walsh vs. Fernando Vargas Jr.: Walsh dominated, handing Vargas Jr. a clear unanimous decision loss (99-91, 99-91, 100-90), maintaining his unblemished record.

• Mohammed Alakel vs. Travis Crawford: Alakel also won via unanimous decision. Not as high-profile, but part of the texture of big fight nights, showing future contenders, undercards with drama.

Historical Context: How Big Is This Win?

To appreciate just how monumental this fight was, it helps to understand boxing history:

• The “four-belt era” refers to the time when the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO were all considered major world titles. Being undisputed means holding all four simultaneously in a weight class. It’s rare, difficult, and often hampered by sanctioning body politics, mandatory challengers, and promotional conflicts.

• Few boxers have accomplished this. Usyk (in cruiserweight and heavyweight), Inoue (in lower weights) have all achieved undisputed status, but none have yet done it in three separate divisions until now. Crawford joins a very small pantheon.

• For Canelo, this is one of the few times he’s faced a boxer who might match him in ring IQ, timing, and who could absorb pressure and return fire with consistency. He’s beaten many greats, but this particular matchup offered symmetric challenges: one fighter moving up, the other defending legacy.

What This Means Going Forward

• Legacy: Crawford just punched his ticket into “all-time great” conversations in an even louder voice. Already well respected, now many will view him as perhaps the most versatile, adaptable boxer of his era.

• Potential Rematch? Boxing loves a good sequel. Canelo will want back some of what he lost. Fans will want to see whether this was a dip for Canelo or whether Crawford’s skillset simply proved too much on the night. If a rematch happens, adjustments from both sides will be critical.

• Repercussions in Rankings and Negotiations: More big fights might now come Crawford’s way. Portfolios of fighters who would have preferred facing Canelo might now line up. Sanctioning bodies, promoters, and networks all see that Crawford has both drawing power and legitimacy.

My Take: What Stood Out & What to Watch

The most impressive thing to me was not only that Crawford won, but the manner in which he did it. It is in instinct to circle, protect, to live against a superior power puncher as he is moving down (or has much power at that level). Crawford did that, but he also took initiative. Timing, brains, ability to remain calm when under pressure, these are qualities that can never be bought; they are developed through years or fights, wins, and losses, and even adapting.

On the other hand, Canelo will have to think about whether every time he drops two divisions (or battles people who are on the rise) is going to be associated with this risk. Were weight division factors, velocity, range, and endurance biasing the fight more than was foreseen by some? Probably. But nothing to be ashamed of in what was one of the largest boxing nights.

Final Word

Terence Crawford did not only beat Canelo to death; he had to venture into the unknown. He was the first boxer in the four-belt age to win undisputed titles in three divisions. He did it in a manner that contradicted the size, expectations, and history. September 2025 will be remembered by the boxing community as the date on which Crawford not only earned another title, but also rewrote a section of the history of the sport.