WBC Special Preview: Canelo vs. Crawford

WBC STATISTICS
WBC Super Middleweight World Championship
September 13, 2025 / Las Vegas, Nevada / Allegiant Stadium

TKO PROMOTIONS PRESENTS:

SAÚL “Canelo” ÁLVAREZ (Mexico)

· WBC Super Middleweight World Champion, 9 Title Defenses
· Former 2-time WBC Middleweight World Champion, 1 Title Defense…
· Former WBC Super Welterweight World Champion, 6 Title Defenses…
Age: 35 / Date of birth: July 18, 1990
Residence: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico / Birthplace: Juanacatlán, Jalisco, Mexico
Record: 63-2-2, 39 KOs / Total rounds: 520 / World championship fights: 24-2-1, 11 KOs
Height: 5’8” – 173cm / Reach: 70.5” – 179cm / Stance: Right-handed
Manager, trainer: Edison “Eddy” Reynoso

TERENCE “Bud” CRAWFORD (USA)

· WBA Super Welterweight World Champion…
· Former WBC Welterweight World Champion…
· Former WBC Super Lightweight World Champion, 3 Title Defenses
Age: 37 / Date of birth: September 28, 1987
Residence, birthplace: Omaha Nebraska
Record: 41-0, 31 KOs / Total rounds: 245 / World championship fights: 19-0, 15 KOs
Height: 5’8” – 173cm / Reach: 74” – 188cm / Stance: Right & Left-handed
Manager: Self-managed / Trainer: Brian McIntyre

WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS

1. Ray Leonard (US) 1988 – 1990
2. Mauro Galvano (Italy) 1990 – 1992
3. Nigel Benn (GB) 1992 – 1996
4. Thulane Malinga (S. Afr) 1996
5. Vincenzo Nardiello (Ita) 1996
6. Robin Reid (GB) 1996 – 1997
7. Thulane Malinga (S. Afr) * 1997 – 1998
8. Richie Woodhall (GB) 1998 – 1999
9. Markus Beyer (Germany) 1999 – 2000
10. Glenn Catley (GB) 2000
11. Dingaan Thobela (S. Afr) 2000
12. Dave Hilton (Can) 2000
13. Eric Lucas (Can) 2001 – 2003
14. Markus Beyer (Germany) * 2003 – 2004
15. Danny Green (Australia) Interim 2003 – 2005
16. Cristian Sanavia (Italy) 2004
17. Markus Beyer (Germany) * 2004 – 2006
18. Mikkel Kessler (Den) 2006 – 2007
19. Joe Calzaghe (GB) 2007
20. Carl Froch (GB) 2008 – 2010
21. Mikkel Kessler (Den) * Emeritus 2010
22. Carl Froch (GB) * 2010 – 2011
23. Andre Ward (US) 2011 – 2012
24. Sakio Bika (Cameroon) 2013
25. Anthony Dirrell (US) 2014 – 2015
26. Badou Jack (Sweden-US) 2015 – 2017
27. David Benavidez (US) 2017 – 2018
28. Anthony Dirrell (US) * 2019
29. David Benavidez (US)* 2019 – 2020
30. Canelo Alvarez (Mexico) 2020 –
* Regained

WBC TOP 10 SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONS

1. Ray Leonard (US)
2. Joe Calzaghe (GB)
3. Nigel Benn (GB)
4. Andre Ward (US)
5. Markus Beyer (Germany)
6. Carl Froch (GB)
7. Mikkel Kessler (Denmark)
8. Robin Reid (GB)
9. Danny Green (Australia)
10. Eric Lucas (Canada)

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION IN WBC HISTORY

25 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, five of whom have regained the title: Thulane Malinga (South Africa), Markus Beyer two times (Germany), Carl Froch (GB), Anthony Dirrell (US), David Benavidez (US).

78 super middleweight world championships bouts have been sanctioned in WBC history.

MEMORABLE WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS

May 3, 2025 Canelo Alvarez W12 William Scull – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Sep. 14, 2024 Canelo Alvarez W12 Edgar Berlanga – Las Vegas, Nevada
May 4, 2024 Canelo Alvarez W12 Jaime Munguia – Las Vegas, Nevada
Sep. 30, 2023 Canelo Alvarez W12 Jermell Charlo – Las Vegas, Nevada
May 6, 2023 Canelo Alvarez W12 John Ryder – Zapopan, Jalisco
Sep. 17, 2022 Canelo Alvarez W12 Gennady Golovkin – Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov. 6, 2021 Canelo Alvarez TKO11 Caleb Plant – Las Vegas, Nevada
May 8, 2021 Canelo Alvarez TKO8 Billy Joe Saunders – Arlington, Texas
Feb. 27, 2021 Canelo Alvarez TKO3 Avni Yildirim – Miami Gardens, Florida
Dec. 19, 2020 Canelo Alvarez W12 Callum Smith – San Antonio, Texas
Feb. 23, 2019 Anthony Dirrell TW10 Avni Yildirim – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sep. 28, 2019 David Benavidez KO9 Anthony Dirrell – Los Angeles, California
Feb. 23, 2019 Anthony Dirrell TW10 Avni Yildirim – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Feb. 17, 2018 David Benavidez W12 Ronald Gavril – Las Vegas, Nevada
Sep. 8, 2017 David Benavidez W12 Ronald Gavril – Las Vegas, Nevada
Jan. 14, 2017 Badou Jack D12 James DeGale – Brooklyn, New York
Apr. 30, 2016 Badou Jack D12 Lucian Bute – Washington, D.C.
Sep. 9, 2015 Badou Jack W12 George Groves – Las Vegas, Nevada
Apr. 24, 2015 Badou Jack W12 Anthony Dirrell – Chicago, Illinois
Aug. 16, 2014 Anthony Dirrell W12 Sakio Bika – Carson, California
Sep. 8, 2012 Andre Ward TKO10 Chad Dawson – Oakland, California
Dec. 17, 2011 Andre Ward W12 Carl Froch – Atlantic City, New Jersey
Nov. 27, 2010 Carl Froch W12 Arthur Abraham – Helsinki, Finland
Dec. 6, 2008 Carl Froch W12 Jean Pascal – Nottingham, England
Nov. 3, 2007 Joe Calzaghe w12 Mikkel Kessler – Cardiff, Wales
Oct. 14, 2006 Mikkel Kessler KO3 Markus Beyer – Copenhagen, Denmark
Mar. 12, 2005 Markus Beyer W12 Danny Green – Zwickau, Germany
Jul. 10, 2001 Eric Lucas KO7 Glenn Catley – Montreal, Quebec
Mar. 27, 198 Richie Woodhall W12 Thulani Malinga – Telford, England
May 3, 1997 Robin Reid W12 Henry Wharton – Manchester, England
Mar. 2, 1996 Thulani Malinga W12 Nigel Benn – Newcastle, England
Oct. 3, 1992 Nigel Benn TKO4 Mauro Galvano – Marino, Italy
Dec. 7, 1989 Sugar Ray Leonard W12 Roberto Duran – Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov. 7, 1988 Sugar Ray Leonard W12 Donny Lalonde – Las Vegas, Nevada

Canelo vs Crawford- It takes Two!

By James Blears

 In a Round table discussion, His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh revealed a thought-evokingepithet, to describe and then dub the Canelo Vs Crawford Epic Encounter as: ‘’The One And Only.’’

But… to make it a modern classic and for it to be comparably note-worthy, to the likes and yikes, which emerged from Leonard Vs Hearns 1 and Leonard Vs Hagler, another catchy title might be added: ‘’It Takes Two.’’ Lyrics by William ‘’Mickey’’ Stevenson and Sylvia Moy. Best version immortalized by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston.  Great controlled tempo/beat, two magnificent, soaring in harmony voices and that stunner one liner: ‘’It takes two baby, it takes two baby…to make a dream come true!’’

The Megafight is on September 13th at the 65,000- seater Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and it`s for Canelo`s Undisputed Super-Middleweight Crown. ‘’Bud’’ is beefing up two divisions,to meet this career defining challenge.  Without mincing words, there`s a lot at stake.

Sticking to this carnivorous theme for just a moment longer and harking back to a more raw, rough, and ready and rare Boxing Frontier Era, in 1906, ‘’The Old Master’’ Joe Gans successfully defended his world lightweight title in a bruising 42 rounds slugfest against Oscar ‘’Battling’’ Nelson, in Goldfield, Nevada, establishing the State as a fledgling future mecca of boxing.

According to the Reno Evening Gazette, Joe`s Mother sent him a telegram which read: ‘’Joe. The eyes of the World are on you. Everybody says you ought to win. Peter Jackson will tell me the news. BRING HOME THE BACON.’’ And so he did, as Nelson was disqualified for a low blow.

Here and now, this latter day yet almost biblical blockbuster isn`t a David Vs Goliath, as Terence has considerably and discernibly more in his arsenal than just a slingshot nestling a round pebble. Rather, he`ll need to utilize kryptonite, to be the veritable: ‘’Pebble in the shoe.’’

Reputedly the richest fight ever, catapulting Boxing`s evolving economics to orb and scepter status, from its once spit and sawdust, flat cap, ticket stubs stamping ground, there`s apparently a more than six figure bonus incentive for a KO, to add some pungent, pugilistic, nice, sugar and spice. It`s muttered, even whispered, that Canelo will take home basic pay of one hundred and fifty million dollars and Bud will earn a cool fifty million. It`s part of a four-fight deal between Canelo and Saudi Arabia`s General Entertainment Authority for The Riyadh Season, exceeding four hundred million.

A jealous man might raise or even arch an eyebrow, at the eye-watering sums involved. But, that capricious bat of an eyelid, doesn`t involve eyes wide open, throwing back the silk sheets at pre-dawn 5am, to hit the road, work like a Trojan for six days a week and decry ample apple pie, in order to gain just desserts.

According to the Prophet Muhammad, God loves jealousy, when there are grounds for suspicion. But hates it, when it`s baseless. Rather and preferably the admiration of: ‘’Masha`Allah.’’

In his wonderful book; ‘’The Moon`s a Balloon,’’ David Niven writes that a woman was outraged that movie idol Ronald Coleman was being bought a maroon luxury car for just a few supposedly idle minutes of work on the silver screen, in a so- called cameo-bit part. To which Ronnie not unreasonably insisted that actually, it was for decades of work under the glare of the limelight, plus adding this finale flourish, via those few cherry- topping minutes. Luckily, on the thirteenth, Canelo and Terence are the major box office stars of the big Netflix screen and both must do their bit.

The ingredients for this fight will blend, whisk and stir power, speed and agility.  Although Canelo is the stronger and more robust, he`s slightly shorter and a tad stouter than Terence. His reach doesn`t extend as far.  While Canelo stands five feet seven and a half inches tall and has a seventy- inch reach, Terence is half an inch taller and his reach extends four inches further.

Canelo started his pro career in 2005 at the tender ago of fifteen.  Terence was twenty when he first fought as a pro in 2008.  Canelo aged thirty- five has built a record of 63-2-2, 39 KO`s, involving 520 rounds. He has yet to hit the Big Four-0 viz stoppages. While Terence who is two years older, has crafted an undefeated record of 41-0, 31 KO`s fighting 245 rounds.

Canelo lost to a more mature Floyd Mayweather Jr, solved some tricky problems against slick moving and laser jabbing Erislandy Lara and was defeated by bigger and taller, rangyDmitry Bivol, visibly tiring down the stretch. Yet he has an iron chin, copper whiskers and has never been knocked down, let alone dispatched. He`s won world titles in four weight categories and is twice undisputed super-middleweight champion. Terence too, has won titles in four weight divisions and been undisputed in two. He`s now going for the Triple Crown.

Both men are unstintingly and unwaveringly loyal to their teams. Chepo and Eddy Reynoso have been with Canelo since the word go. And Brian ‘’Bomac’’ McIntyre and Esau Dieguez, then joined by Jamie Belt have been around a long time too. Continuity and consistencyyielding dividends.

Terence is naturally right- handed, yet he fights as a southpaw, although he can adeptly, adroitly and seamlessly switch to conventional, which is exceedingly rare. He`s a superb counter puncher, has a radar sense for opportune openings and is defensively sound, slipping punches, using the shoulder roll, judging angles like Pythagoras and parrying brilliantly. His full name is Terence Allan Crawford.  His initials placed backwards spell cat. His reflexes will need to be feline, while Canelo`s determination must be dogged.

Canelo who is best/beast at short range, is canny utilizing the feint, a fearsome body puncher and pummels the arms, switching to the head, with eye watering hooks, overhead rights and uppercuts. To apply effective and sustained pressure, Canelo needs to abandon plodding, rejuvenate, speed up, pursue, hunt down and throw clusters of punches, backing and trapping Terence on to the ropes, while maintaining his concentrated, undistilled icy calm.

For his part Terence needs to impart guile to dodge impact, stay sharp, focused and elusive, moving in and then departing PDQ. He must stick and move, rather than stick around against a more powerful, heavier handed opponent. He`s never felt the impact weight of a Saul punch ever before and when he does, it will surely prove the acid test. Jermell Charlo also moved up two weights to face and fight Canelo, being dropped hard by a right hook and then a follow up right uppercut in the seventh, then being obliged to go into survival mode to last the distance. Terence would do well to learn from this painful and seminal lesson, applying to another.

Canelo has fought seven bouts without stopping an opponent. He`s knocked em down, but hasn`t been able to make it stick. He`s dropped Edgar Berlanga, Jaime Munguia, Jermell Charlo and John Ryder. But we have to delve back to Caleb Plant, in 2021 as his most recent KO.  Eddy Reynoso is vowing that will change, pledging: ‘’We`re going to knock him out. I promise!’’

The previous fight of Canelo to re-gain the IBF version to complete the boxed set, was a catch me if you can yawnfest, against elusive and infuriatingly hesitant to engage, skittishWilliam Scull.  Terence dominated Israel Madrimov to win the WBA super-welterweight title, but in moving up in weight, his clips of punches lacked their usual crisp, pep, snap, crackle and pop. So, both Canelo and Bud had an off night.

Canelo`s career peak was the first two, during the trilogy against Triple G. While Terence`s finest hour was overwhelming and dispatching Errol Spence for the iron-clad Undisputed ‘’Mettle Mickey’’ Welter Mantle.  For The One And Only to be truly and enticingly great, both Saul and Terence must fight to their maximum capacity, to earn their corn, justify and deserve the big dough outlaid. Power Vs guile. Spike against Tom, NOT Tom and Jerry. A duet/duel of import and impact!

This is a galaxy of a fight, but for a sobering down to earth moment, let`s recall that greatness isn`t confined to the modern- day era.  Way back in 1919, Harry Greb ‘’The Pittsburg Windmill/Smoke City Wildcat, fought forty-five bouts in that single twelve- months span and he won every single one of them.  In 1938, Henry ‘’Homicide Hank’’ Armstrong held three world titles simultaneously. The featherweight, lightweight and welterweight. He then he fought Ceferino Garcia for the middleweight crown, to end up with a draw.

Terence idolizes Sugar Ray Robinson, who was welterweight and middleweight champion of the world and so nearly won the light heavyweight title in 1952, but in his only career stoppage spanning 201 fights, Ray succumbed to heat exhaustion, when fighting champion Joey Maxim. In a sweltering heatwave, which cloyingly wrapped itself around the Yankee Stadium, transforming it into a baking oven. Referee Ruby Goldstein was frazzled by the tenth and had to be replaced by Ray Miller. A country mile ahead on points, Ray who was also overcome by the extreme heat, had to call it a day after thirteen rounds. So near, but so far: ‘’The burnt- out end of smoky days,’’ and perhaps a prelude?

Maybe the most apt historical comparison for Terence to contemplate is Mickey ‘’Toy Bulldog’’ Walker who won the welterweight and middleweight titles, coming close to winning the light heavyweight crown against Tommy Loughran and ‘’Slapsie’’ Maxie Rosenbloom. Then, having the audacity to move up to heavyweight, fight a draw with ex-champion Jack Sharkey, defeating king Levinsky and Paulo Uzcudun, before being stopped in eight by ex- champion Max Schmeling. Mickey used cunning and ringcraft strategy more than brawn, utilizing agility against the bigger men. It worked… most of the time. But, the bigger they are…the harder they hit, rather than fall!

In fighting Canelo, Terence mustn`t and shouldn`t try to match his power. An unwise reprise, as just one momentary lapse, could wincingly and instantly seal his fate.  Unlikely in that instance and scenario, he`d get the chance to recover and regroup as Sugar Ray Leonard did against Donny Lalonde.

Prior to The Fight, both Canelo and Terence have cast some sinful, pointed and poignant, sticks and stones barbs.  Canelo graciously proffered: ‘’Crawford is one of the best out there. I like to share the ring with that kind of fighter. It`s my pleasure.’’

Terence didn`t exactly reciprocate. With a brickbat response, he says it`s his Mount Rushmore and the landslide rubble, will transform Canelo into a nobody, to which Canelo tartly retorted that it`ll be Terence`s very last fight. Words are one thing, while actions speak volumes… and louder.  The Philosopher Rene Descartes wrote: ‘’To know what people think, pay attention to what they do, rather than what they say.’’

Long-time Editor of the Daily Telegraph in Old London Town Bill Deedes put it even more succinctly, by laconically insisting: ‘’DEEDES not words.’’