Canelo vs. Crawford: A fight of respect
The fight between Santos Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford was much more than a sporting confrontation: it represented an act of mutual respect between two of the most
Image taken from the official website of Netflix.
The Canelo vs. Crawford boxing match was a demonstration of mutual respect. Both boxers had distinguished careers in boxing history, marked by multiple world titles and memorable clashes.
The Santos Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez Barragán vs. Terence “Bud” Crawford fight took place during the Mexican Independence Day festivities, alongside other UFC MMA events such as UFC Night. It was also promoted by Zuffa Boxing (UFC's parent company) and was streamed globally via Netflix.
On the one hand, Canelo is the former undisputed super middleweight world champion. He has won titles in four different divisions: super middleweight, super welterweight, middleweight, and light heavyweight. On the other hand, Crawford has also won 18 major world championships in five weight classes, from lightweight to super middleweight, including the undisputed light welterweight, welterweight, and super middleweight championships.
Statistics:
The Compubox statistics showed that in this fight Crawford landed more total punches (115 of 534) than Canelo (99 of 338), although Canelo had greater overall accuracy (38% vs. 37%). The judges made the unanimous decision, based on these scores which reflect Crawford's technical and strategic superiority throughout the fight.
This cemented Crawford's position as one of the best boxers of his generation after dominating Canelo with precise combinations and effective control. This also marked a turning point in Álvarez's career, as he now faces important decisions about his future in the ring.
Demonstrations of respect
Stephen A. Smith asked him in a live interview if it was true that Crawford had approached Canelo about returning the belts. Crawford stated, “Yes, I took his titles, but the belts go home with him, and I take the titles home with me.” He emphasized, “And I thought it was the right thing to do, and I was the one to give them back to him.”
The sportscaster challenged him, insisting that he knew he [Crawford] wouldn't return belts after a victory to a boxer unless it was someone he respected. Crawford didn't overthink his answer, saying, "I think he's a respectable man, an honest guy who cares about his family, and I respect that about him."
On the other hand, Canelo posted a few words on social media: "I'm very proud of everything I've accomplished so far; we always want to win, but I accept this defeat with humility and learning." He also publicly stated that he appreciated Crawford's action in returning his belts to him in front of his daughter and wife.
Both champions have left an indelible mark on world boxing. Crawford's victory over Canelo was a historic milestone, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest of all time, just as his opponent was.
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