Before Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford meet on September 13, we take a look back at their five biggest career victories.
In less than two weeks, Terence Crawford will move up two weight classes to challenge Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed world super middleweight championship on September 13 in Las Vegas.
Together, the two have over 100 professional victories in the ring – but which of them are among their greatest? Here is an overview of the five most important triumphs of both boxers:
Canelo Alvarez
1st Caleb Plant / November 6, 2021 – T.K.O. Round 11
Alvarez had already won the WBA, WBC and WBO titles in the super middle, as well as beating Callum Smith and Billy Joe Saunders. With his T.K.O. victory over unbeaten IBF champion (21-0) Caeb Plant, he unified all four belts and became undisputed champion – and did so in style.
2nd Sergey Kovalev / November 2, 2019 – Knockout round 11
Despite a close points score, Alvarez knocked out feared puncher Sergey Kovalev late to secure his first and only title at light heavyweight – the highest weight class the Mexican has ever boxed in.
3rd Gennady Golovkin II / September 15, 2018 – Points victory (2:0:1)
The second encounter in the trilogy against Golovkin was a memorable fight: 364 days after their controversial draw in the first duel, Alvarez won narrowly on points (twice 115-113, once 114-114). The fight was named “Fight of the Year” by The Ring in 2018.
4th Miguel Cotto / November 21, 2015 – Points victory (3:0)
An important triumph in Canelo’s career. Despite being the favorite (3-1 odds), Canelo had to defeat Cotto over twelve tough rounds – the fight generated around 900,000 PPV buys, a record number outside of the Mayweather/McGregor/Pacquiao era.
5th Matthew Hatton / March 5, 2011 – Points win (3:0)
The fight that won the then 20-year-old Canelo his first world title. He clearly dominated the experienced European champion Hatton (three times 119-108) – his breakthrough in boxing in the USA.
Terence Crawford
1st Israil Madrimov / August 3, 2024 – Points victory (3:0)
A close duel (115-113, 115-113 and 116-112) against a previously unbeaten Madrimov. Crawford thus became world champion at half-middleweight (154 pounds) for the first time in his debut at the limit.
2nd Errol Spence Jr. / July 29, 2023 – T.K.O. Round 9
In a much anticipated clash, Crawford clearly dominated his rival Errol Spence Jr. All the judges had 79-70 on the scorecards before “Bud” stopped the fight in the ninth round
3rd Shawn Porter / November 20, 2021 – T.K.O. Round 10
Porter was known for never having lost early. But Crawford, despite possibly trailing, responded promptly – finishing the fight just 81 seconds into the final round.
Julius Indongo 4th / August 19, 2017 – Knockout in round 3
IBF and WBA champion Indongo was unbeaten (22-0). But Crawford destroyed him in just three rounds to become the first undisputed semi-welterweight champion (in the four-belt era).
5th Ricky Burns / March 1, 2014 – Points win (3:0)
Crawford’s first world championship fight. He defeated local hero Ricky Burns on points at the Hometown Fight in Scotland – and delivered an impressive performance in the first 12-round fight of his career.