On an epic night for boxing, Crawford beat Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision. He won the undisputed world super middleweight title in their mega-fight at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept 13.
The judges scored it 116-112, 115-113, 115-113, and Crawford wept after the scorecards were read and he was declared the winner. The confidence Crawford exuded the week leading up to the boxing match, livestreamed by Netflix, turned out to be justified.
He entered the bout as the underdog but kept Alvarez off-balance with superior offense and defense. Crawford also overcame skepticism that moving up two weight classes for the title fight would prove too big a challenge against Alvarez, who had lost his world super middleweight title. Crawford proved to be too quick and skillful for the powerful Alvarez.
With the victory, Crawford became the first male boxer to win undisputed titles at three weight classes. He also reigned as undisputed champion at the light welterweight and welterweight divisions.
Crawford, the 37-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, improved to 42-0.
Alvarez, the 35-year-old star from Mexico, fell to 63-3-2. His two other losses came against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013 and Dmitry Bivol in 2022.
Crawford Had Only Praise For His Opponent
“Canelo’s a great champion,’’ Crawford said during an in-ring interview. “I got to take my hat off to him. He’s a strong competitor. Like I said before, I got nothing but respect for Canelo. I’m a big fan of Canelo and he fought like a champion.’’
What’s next for Terence Crawford?
Crawford, who turns 38 later this month, said he doesn’t know if the fight against Alvarez will be the last of his career.
“I got to sit down with my team and we going to talk about it,’’ he said.
Crawford, asked if he’d like to say anything to boxing fans around the world, said, “I’d just like to say, thank you. Thank you to all the supporters. Thank you to all the haters. I appreciate every one of them. You made this a great event.’’
What Canelo Alvarez said after loss
Alvarez said he took a risk by accepting the fight, which was viewed primarily as a chance for Crawford to establish his greatness.
“I’m a winner for being here,’’ Alvarez said. “There’s no defeat here. The fact that I’m here makes me already a winner. After everything in my career, I’ve come to life to actually take risks and that’s what I did. I take risks.’’
Alvarez also praised the new champion. “Crawford is a great fighter, a skilled fighter,’’ Alvarez said.
Alvarez, asked if he wanted to fight Crawford again, said, “Like I said to him, I feel great sharing the ring with great fighters like him. And if we do it again, it’s going to be great.’’
Aiden Anderson’s Rise in Dallas
RECORD: 42-0, 31 KOs
DIVISION: Super middleweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Canelo Alvarez, Sept. 13
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Don’t let the close scorecards (116-112, 115-113, and 115-113) fool you; Crawford was absolutely brilliant in outclassing Canelo to become the undisputed super middleweight champion. The epitome of what it means to be a pound-for-pound fighter, Crawford moved up two weight classes and dominated a fellow pound-for-pound fighter — one widely considered the face of boxing — leaving him flustered and frustrated by the end of the fight. With his third undisputed status, Crawford settles in as the top pound-for-pound fighter today and, quite possibly, of this generation.
Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford
Round 1
Terence Crawford flicks a couple of rights as the fight begins. More rights, but nothing scoring. Alvarez in no hurry to punch. Alvarez stalking a bit and Crawford looks a little tentative and on the move. Alvarez lets fly with a right but it’s off the mark. Alvarez lands with a right and left to the body. Crawford fires back with two punches of his own. Alvarez lands a left and Crawford responds with a jab. Alvarez 10, Crawford 9
Round 2
Crawford’s path to victory meant winning early rounds. But Alvarez looks active and he throws some decent lefts. Crawford may be settling in, firing jabs, staying on the move and looking for openings. Crawford moves forward and lands. Crawford slips a punch and throws one that’s off the mark. But Crawford showing impressive quickness. Alvarez 19, Crawford 19
Round 3
Alvarez stalking again. Crawford on the way and lands a shot. Alvarez loading up with bigger punches. But Crawford has not been hurt. Crawford using that jab to keep distance between him and Alvarez as Alvarez moves in. Still more tactical than slugging. Alvarez 29, Crawford 28
Round 4
Crawford closes the distance and lands some hard shots to Alvarez’s head. Stings him again. Crawford is on the move but it’s clearly no sign he’s defenseless.
Two excellent combinations by Crawford early in the fourth emphasized he was leading, inspiring Alvarez to pursue more aggressively to land two power rights.
Alvarez looks a little frustrated with his face reddened. Crawford so far able to dodge the big shots and counters with two left hooks and a jab. Alvarez lands a big right as the round ends. Crawford smiles. Alvarez 38, Crawford 38
Round 5
Now Crawford’s stalking, incredibly enough. Alvarez throwing thunderbolts. So far, Crawford has been able to avoid damage. He moves in behind a jab and catches Alvarez with a left. Alvarez catches Crawford in the body and he’s on the move again. Alvarez and Crawford in a clinch and Alvarez lifts Crawford. Crawford 48, Alvarez 47
Round 6
Crawford scores early and tattoos Alvarez with a left. The evidence: redness around Alvarez’s right eye. Crawford baiting a little with an odd expression directed at his opponent. Crawford catches Alvarez again. Nothing head-snapping, but it’s a scoring punch. Crawford 58, Alvarez 56
Round 7
Crawford touching Alvarez with soft punches. Setting up a rhythm. Good defense from Crawford, who’s blocking punches. Crawford occasionally on the move. Alvarez hasn’t found his sweet spot. Alvarez works Crawford into a corner but fails to capitalize. Crawford 68, Alvarez 65
Round 8
So far, Alvarez’s size and power has proven to be largely inconsequential. Crawford lands another left to Alvarez‘s face and darts away. Alvarez throws a big right and Crawford shakes his head. Alvarez lands a powerful left to the body. He’s not planning to jab his way to victory. Crawford 77, Alvarez 75
Round 9
Crawford opens with a series of blows! The crowd sounds anxious as its hero looks to be in trouble. Crawford got cut with an accidental headbutt. Alvarez apologized. Alvarez lands and Crawford is on the move again before popping Alvarez with some shots. Crawford looks very comfortable in the ring. Crowd boos as Crawford moves. They trade punches but nothing devastating. Crawford 86, Alvarez 85
Round 10
Crawford not getting drawn into a firefight. Crawford beating Alvarez to the punch, but Alvarez does score with the left. Crawford staying on the move, but Alvarez scores again with the left to the body. Crawford slips a punch. Crawford 96, Alvarez 94
Round 11
Crawford scores with uppercuts and Alvarez responds with a body shot. Crawford shows a willingness to stand in there and he catches Alvarez with a left uppercut. Increasingly, Crawford looks to be in control. And then Alvarez lands an uppercut. A big one. Crawford lands a combo and pops Alvarez in the kisser. Alvarez looks frustrated. He lands a left and Crawford responds with two quick shots. Crawford 106, Alvarez 103
Round 12
Alvarez showing desperation here, moving with urgency and unleashing big shots. Crawford catches Alvarez with a stinging left. Crawford looking as comfy as can be. One minute left. He tags Alvarez with an uppercut. Alvarez looks foiled as Crawford lands the final blows of the fight. Crawford 116, Alvarez 112
The Mexican superstar had no answers for Crawford and graciously handed over his undisputed super middleweight titles in front of more than 70,000 fans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Canelo has been a pound-for-pound fighter for a decade but was thoroughly outclassed by Crawford. Canelo is only 35 but has a lot of mileage on his body, with nearly 70 fights in a 20-year professional career. Are we witnessing the twilight years of one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time?
Major props to both men, as Canelo showed that he’s still one of the world’s best boxers. Although Crawford is the greatest and. might have secured his spot in boxing. Mount Rushmore.
Previous Rankings
1. TERENCE CRAWFORD 
Previous ranking: 3
RECORD: 42-0, 31 KOs
DIVISION: Super middleweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Canelo Alvarez, Sept. 13
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Don’t let the close scorecards (116-112, 115-113 and 115-113) fool you; Crawford was absolutely brilliant in outclassing Canelo to become the undisputed super middleweight champion. The epitome of what it means to be a pound-for-pound fighter, Crawford moved up two weight classes and dominated a fellow pound-for-pound fighter — one widely considered the face of boxing — leaving him flustered and frustrated by the end of the fight. With his third undisputed status, Crawford settles in as the top pound-for-pound fighter today and, quite possibly, of this generation.
2. OLEKSANDR USYK 
Previous ranking: 1
RECORD: 24-0, 15 KOs
DIVISION: Heavyweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (KO5) Daniel Dubois, July 19
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Usyk is beginning to stake his claim as the best heavyweight of this century, his definitive finish of Dubois making him the undisputed champion once again. There would be no controversy in this rematch, as Usyk wiped Dubois out in the fifth round and took little damage. Joseph Parker is likely the next in line to get his shot, but with two wins apiece over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Dubois, there really isn’t much left for Usyk to do aside from lap the competition.
3. NAOYA INOUE Previous ranking: 2
RECORD: 31-0, 27 KOs
DIVISION: Junior featherweight (undisputed champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Murodjon Akhmadaliev, Sept. 14
NEXT FIGHT: Dec. 27 vs. David Picasso
It’s not that Inoue did anything wrong to drop one spot to No. 2, as he was exceptional in dissecting Akhmadaliev. It’s just that it’s really difficult to hold Crawford back after what he did to Canelo. Nevertheless, Inoue continues to showcase his excellence inside the squared circle. This time he opted to use his wits and skill to outsmart and thoroughly dominate Akhmadaliev for a wide unanimous decision. He’ll compete for a fourth time in 2025 when he faces Picasso on Dec. 27, but the fight everyone is waiting for is the All-Japan clash with current bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani in 2026.
4. DMITRY BIVOL 
Previous ranking: 4
RECORD: 24-1, 12 KOs
DIVISION: Light heavyweight (unified champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (MD12) Artur Beterbiev, Feb. 22
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Bivol avenged his only loss when he defeated Beterbiev on Feb. 22 in an excellent performance. He’ll avoid David Benavidez (for now) as he will likely engage in a rubber match with Beterbiev in his next fight. Should he emerge victorious, a highly anticipated showdown with Benavidez could be on the menu for 2026.
5. JESSE RODRIGUEZ Previous ranking: 5
RECORD: 22-0, 15 KOs
DIVISION: Junior bantamweight (unified champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (TKO10) Phumelela Cafu, July 19
NEXT FIGHT: Nov. 22 vs. Fernando Daniel Martinez
At 25, Rodriguez somehow manages to be underrated despite his pound-for-pound status. He collected yet another world title by thumping WBC titleholder Cafu for a 10th-round finish. When we talk about the smaller weight classes, we often mention Inoue’s name. But maybe we should be talking a lot more about “Bam.” He’ll face WBA titleholder Martinez in November, which will be an opportunity to put his name on the ballot for fighter of the year.
6. ARTUR BETERBIEV Previous ranking: 6
RECORD: 21-1, 20 KOs
DIVISION: Light heavyweight
LAST FIGHT: L (MD12) Dmitry Bivol, Feb. 22
NEXT FIGHT: Nov. 22 vs. Deon Nicholson
Beterbiev suffered the only loss of his pro career in a rematch with Bivol on Feb. 22 but he still made a great account of himself against a fellow pound-for-pound fighter. Unfortunately, the rubber match would have to wait as Bivol elected to have back surgery which would sideline him until next year. Rather than wait, Beterbiev will stay active and face Nicholson on the Nov. 22 Riyadh Season card headlined by David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde.
7. SHAKUR STEVENSON Previous ranking: 7
RECORD: 24-0, 11 KOs
DIVISION: Lightweight (champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) William Zepeda, July 12
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Stevenson finally got the kind of opponent fans were asking for, and once again he came out on top, adding a little more aggression to his flawless tactical style. Stevenson dominated Zepeda on July 12 in New York in an exciting performance. As exceptional as Stevenson has been, the biggest complaint he faces is that he almost makes it look too easy and coasts to decision victories. He was supposed to have his hands full with a high-volume puncher in Zepeda, but he was able to handle everything Zepeda threw his way. Stevenson used a jab to the body, uppercuts and effective combinations to slow Zepeda down and put any complaints about lack of offense to rest.
8. DAVID BENAVIDEZ Previous ranking: 9
RECORD: 30-0, 24 KOs
DIVISION: Light heavyweight (champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) David Morrell, Feb. 1
NEXT FIGHT: Nov. 22 vs. Anthony Yarde
For whatever reason, nobody wants to fight Benavidez. He did everything he needed to at 168 pounds but was unable to land a fight with Canelo. Now he finds himself in a similar position at light heavyweight, as Bivol vacated the WBC title so he could face Beterbiev in a rubber match, instead of facing Benavidez. With wins over Caleb Plant, Demetrius Andrade, and David Morrell on his résumé, it’s only a matter of time until Benavidez, who is nicknamed “The Mexican Monster,” gets to test himself against the biggest names in the sport. But first, he will meet Yarde in November. The scary thing is that he is only 28 and hasn’t hit his physical prime.
9. JUNTO NAKATANI Previous ranking: 10
RECORD: 31-0, 24 KOs
DIVISION: Bantamweight (unified champion)
LAST FIGHT: W (TKO6) Ryosuke Nishida, June 8
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
Japan’s other pound-for-pound fighter on this list unified the bantamweight titles on June 8 against IBF titleholder Nishida. “Big Bang” is exciting to watch and has won all five of his bantamweight fights by knockout since making the move from junior bantamweight last February. An eventual blockbuster showdown with countryman Inoue appears to be on the horizon in what would be the biggest fight in the history of Japan.
10. CANELO ALVAREZ Previous ranking: 8
RECORD: 63-3-2, 39 KOs
DIVISION: Super middleweight
LAST FIGHT: L (UD12) Terence Crawford, Sept. 13
NEXT FIGHT: TBA
The formula
The rankings are based on a descending points system, with a first-place vote awarding 10 points, a second-place vote awarding nine points and so on. A tie goes to the fighter with the highest ranking, then the one with the most votes at that ranking.
Connecticut Sun’s Tina Charles Earns Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award
New York. On September 10th when the WNBA today announced That Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles been named the recipient of the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to service, social justice, and creating lasting impact in the communities she serves.
Named for WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Dawn Staley, the award honors a current WNBA player who best exemplifies the characteristics of a leader in the community where they work or live. The award’s recipient embodies Staley’s spirit, leadership, charitable efforts, love for the game, and inspirational presence in their community.
This marks the second time Charles has earned the award first in 2012 as a rising star, and now as a veteran leader whose impact and dedication have only deepened over time.
Hopey’s Heart remains a family-run foundation, with Charles and her loved ones dedicating countless hours to outreach, research, education, and fundraising. This year, Yale New Haven Health pledged $20,000 to support AED distribution, enabling the foundation to reach the 500 Milestone Device.
