The highly anticipated fight between Terrence “Bud” Crawford and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is scheduled for September 13, marking the biggest bout of 2025 as Alvarez defends his undisputed middleweight title. Crawford, who has moved up through multiple weight classes—from lightweight champion in 2014 to junior welterweight in 2017, and later to welterweight where he became undisputed champion after a commanding win over Errol Spence Jr. in 2023—has been eager for this showdown. Since becoming undisputed at welterweight, Crawford has fought only once, narrowly defeating Isler Madrimov in the junior middleweight division.
Alvarez recently claimed the IBF super middleweight title against William Skull in May, though his performance was seen as lackluster by some as he threw fewer punches. Despite this, Alvarez has maintained his reputation and remains a formidable champion. Both fighters appeared on “The Goats Podcast” with Tom Brady and Shaquille O’Neal, where Alvarez acknowledged Crawford’s skill but hinted at doubts before their fight.
A playful exchange between the two highlighted their competitive nature, with Crawford questioning the greatness of some of Alvarez’s past opponents—a debate Alvarez dismissed by differentiating champions from elite fighters. To ramp up excitement and action, Saudi Arabian boxing promoter Aralshiv added a knockout bonus to the fight, aiming to avoid the boredom seen in previous fights. At a New York press conference, Crawford boldly promised to aggressively confront Alvarez at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, vowing to apply relentless pressure.
Fan Take: This showdown between Crawford and Alvarez is more than just a title fight; it’s a potential defining moment for boxing’s future, pitting two of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters against each other. Fans should expect a thrilling contest that could elevate the sport’s popularity and set new standards for competitive excellence in boxing.
