Terence Crawford outboxes, outsmarts, and outfights Canelo Alvarez

The fight that nobody expected to see is over.

Most wanted Terence Crawford to fight Boots Ennis and Canelo Álvarez to tangle with David Benavidez.

Didn’t happen.

What we got was Crawford and Alvarez – two champions from two different weight classes.

Questions surrounded the bout.

Was Crawford too small?

Hardly. He was equal to Alvarez – and maybe even bigger. .

Would Crawford lose some of his athleticism because of the weight gain?

No, he appeared comfortable. Gaining the weight and getting used to it for several months was a masterstroke.

Had Alvarez lost a step? Yes, he might not be what he was, but he’s still pretty damn good.

Could Crawford withstand the power of Alvarez?

“He didn’t hit as hard as I thought he was,” said Crawford after the fight. “He’s definitely technical, but I’ve been hit harder.”

Crawford even smiled at Alvarez in the later rounds. What Alvarez did well was dig to the body, but it wasn’t enough.

Crawford’s southpaw style, working behind the jab, fast hands, moving away, outworking Alvarez, was too much for the 20-year professional.

“Everything [gave me trouble]. He has everything,” said Alvarez at his post-fight press conference. “We knew Crawford is a great fighter. I did what I was supposed to do, right? I tried every way. I trained very hard. He deserves all the credit. I tried my best. I couldn’t figure out the style.”

For years now, some have called Crawford the best fighter in the world, but not all. His inactivity was frustrating. His box-office appeal, according to promoter Bob Arum, was wanting.

In a 2020 comment, Arum said, “I could build a house in Beverly Hills on the money I’ve lost on him in the last three fights.”

Crawford’s resume lacked big names until he beat up Kell Brook, Shawn Porter, and, most emphatically, Errol Spence. When he struggled against Israil Madrimov. The thinking was that a bigger fighter like Alvarez would be too much.

None of this proved to be correct on fight night. He worked behind his jab in the opening heat. Alvarez fired some effective body shots to the delight of his fans. The round was close.

Crawford used lateral movement against the aggressive Alvarez in round two. Alvarez was bobbing, but Crawford caught him with some shots.

Alvarez landed a right in round three that didn’t bother Crawford. Alvarez worked the ribs to likely win the round.

Crawford connected with a sweet combination in round four. His jab was landing. Alvarez fought back with rights to the head and body. Alvarez had some success in round five as well, but Crawford beat him to the punch with combinations. Crawford was feeling it and did well in round six. Alvarez was stalking but finding it hard to hit Crawford solidly. Crawford landed a sweet uppercut that had to make Alvarez ponder.

Alvarez kept going to the body, but Crawford was a step ahead. The new champion did well in round 10, though Alvarez pressed and connected a few times.

Crawford connected with another sharp uppercut in round 11 as Alvarez went back to the body. Crawford was sharper and faster.

Alvarez tried to make something happen in the 12th and final round, but Crawford fought him evenly.

The judges scored the fight 116-112 and 115-113 twice.

Crawford, now 42-0, shed tears of happiness. The word great can be used to describe him.

Alvarez was classy in defeat. He spoke of wanting a rematch.

Crawford isn’t sure.

“I’ve got to sit down with my team, and we’ll talk about it,” Crawford said.

To the victor go all the spoils.