(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Crawford Stuns Canelo to Become Three-Division Undisputed Champion
Las Vegas: Terence Crawford made history on Saturday night by defeating Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to claim the undisputed super middleweight crown, becoming the first fighter ever to achieve undisputed status in three different weight divisions.
The 37-year-old American produced a tactical masterclass, outlasting Alvarez in a closely contested bout at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. Crawford improved his perfect record to 42-0 (31 KOs) with a unanimous decision victory.
⚡ Crawford’s Defining Moment
Jumping up two weight classes, Crawford silenced doubts about his resume by controlling the fight’s later rounds. Judges scored it 116-112 and 115-113 (twice) in his favor.
“For sure this is a signature win,” Crawford said. “I was moving up two divisions, no belts, and came in as the underdog. Everything was on the line.”
Crawford praised Alvarez but insisted: “I think I was the better man today. I was stronger, I punched harder.”
🥊 Canelo’s Response
Alvarez, 35, a champion in four weight classes and one of boxing’s biggest stars, fell to 63-3-2. He admitted Crawford’s movement and speed made the difference but vowed to come back stronger.
“A defeat does not define me,” Alvarez said. “If we do it again, it will be great.”
Despite the setback, Alvarez reportedly earned around $100 million for the blockbuster showdown.
🌍 Inoue Shines in Japan
On Sunday, Japan’s Naoya Inoue delivered another brilliant performance to defend his undisputed super bantamweight titles against Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Nagoya.
Unbeaten at 31-0 (27 KOs), Inoue showcased his trademark precision and footwork, dominating the later rounds to seal a unanimous decision victory.
✅ Summary: Crawford etched his name in history books with a career-defining win over Canelo Alvarez, while Naoya Inoue continued his dominance with another world-class display in Japan.