Smarts over power
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 16 Sep 2025
Mexico’s living legend Saul (Canelo) Alvarez was heavily favored to bludgeon Terence Crawford in their epic showdown at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last Saturday night but oddsmakers were rebuffed as the fight turned out to be a tactical battle where ring smarts prevailed over raw power.
Alvarez figured to dominate Crawford with his size in the weight division which he has lorded over since winning the WBC and WBA 168-pound titles in December 2020, later adding the IBF and WBO versions to claim undisputed supremacy. Crawford had never fought as a supermiddleweight and moved up two classes to challenge Alvarez. At the weigh-in, Crawford and Alvarez both tipped the scales at 167.5 pounds. It was the heaviest Crawford has weighed and in his previous outing in August last year, scaled only 153 1/2. There was speculation that Crawford would lose his speed with the added bulk and wouldn’t be able to withstand the power of a bigger opponent fighting at his natural weight.
As it turned out, Crawford boxed his way to a clear win by a unanimous decision, negating Alvarez’ vaunted power with movement that kept the Mexican off-balance. Alvarez couldn’t load up on his shots consistently because he had to chase Crawford around the ring. A slick switch-hitter, Crawford stayed southpaw the entire way and circled away from Alvarez’ right while defending himself from the Mexican’s left hook to the body. Crawford’s gambit was to take away Alvarez’ combinations and make him throw just a punch at a time. Alvarez would occasionally land the left hook but hardly followed up with the right. Alvarez tried to smash through Crawford’s high guard with overhands but had difficulty locating a target. Crawford brought the fight mainly at the center of the ring where he could control distance, space and timing.
Alvarez didn’t look frightening except for a few stretches where Crawford stood his ground. Was he overconfident? Did he sell Crawford short, thinking he could overwhelm him with size and power? At least twice, he turned away from Crawford in exasperation. The three judges gave the last two rounds to Crawford, indicating who had more gas in the tank down the stretch.
The 10 factors that went Crawford’s way were: Movement which put off Alvarez’ balance, diffusing his power; Footwork which Crawford used to stay away from Alvarez’ punching range; Combinations which Crawford unleased coming from jabs that set up 1-2s (Crawford landed 45 jabs to Alvarez’ 16); Speed, both hand and foot where Crawford had the distinct advantage; Defense which Crawford displayed with a high guard, head movement, leaning backwards and footwork; Tactics where Crawford outsmarted Alvarez with his skillful style, sliding from side to side; Distance which Crawford established to stay separated from Alvarez’ pressure; Control of the ring which allowed Crawford to dictate tempo; Mid-course adjustments which had Alvarez guessing and Endurance.
Crawford earned his biggest payday of $50 million but it was far less than Alvarez’ $150 million paycheck. Alvarez said he’s open to a rematch while Crawford, two years older at 37, isn’t committing. Money and pride will dictate what the fighters do next.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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