Crawford hits Canelo with Punch Heard Around the World
In a bout that instantly carved itself into boxing folklore, Terence Crawford produced a single punch that networks will replay for decades.
The American technician delivered a thunderous left hand that not only stunned Canelo Alvarez but also silenced thousands inside Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
The shot, already dubbed by fans as the ‘Punch Heard Around the World,’ was a moment of sheer perfection. Alvarez, renowned for his granite chin and defensive reflexes, had rarely been caught so cleanly in a career spanning over seventy fights. When Crawford’s fist connected flush, the Mexican icon turned his head, spun slightly on his heels, and wore an expression that told its own story.
Viewers joked he seemed to be thinking, “How did you get me like that?” – though in far less polite terms.
The blow crystallized what many had suspected going into fight week: that Crawford’s timing, accuracy, and tactical brilliance could dismantle even one of the greatest fighters of the modern era. It was the turning point, the snapshot that confirmed Crawford’s place as the superior technician.
Canelo’s Mayweather admission
What followed added to the shockwaves. After suffering just his third professional defeat, Alvarez openly admitted something no one expected to hear. Despite losing to Floyd Mayweather in 2013, Canelo insisted that Crawford was the better fighter of the two.
“I think Crawford is way better than Floyd Mayweather,” Canelo admitted, in words that immediately lit up the boxing world.
Such a statement carries enormous weight. For years, Canelo had been viewed as Mayweather’s heir, the biggest star of the post-Money era. To concede that Crawford, not Floyd, was the best man he had ever faced is a historic acknowledgment.
The Punch Heard Around the World.#canelocrawford #boxing
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— World Boxing News (@WorldBoxingNews) September 15, 2025
Humble in defeat
In the aftermath, Canelo took to social media to address fans and reflect on the loss.
Showing grace in defeat, he posted, “I feel very proud of everything I’ve achieved so far; we always want to win, but I accept this defeat with humility and learning.
“I am very grateful to my team for all the sacrifices we’ve made together over all these years.
“I already won because I have my family with me and millions of fans who have never stopped supporting me.”
He added further recognition of Crawford’s achievement, “He deserves all the credit.”
Crawford’s legacy secured
For Crawford, the win was more than a victory; it was validation. Already a four-weight world champion and a two-time undisputed king, this triumph cemented him as the first male fighter ever to become undisputed in three divisions. To do it against Canelo, the face of boxing for over a decade, only magnifies the feat.
Fans and pundits flooded social media with praise, labeling the performance a ‘masterclass’ and declaring Crawford, 37, the clear pound-for-pound number one.
Comparisons to all-time greats surfaced immediately, with some arguing that his CV has already surpassed many of the sport’s most celebrated legends.
The debate moving forward
While Crawford has only fought once in 2025, the manner of his destruction of Canelo now makes him the favorite for WBN Fighter of the Year honors. Crawford’s achievement dwarfs others in the running by scale and historical significance.
For Canelo, questions linger about his future. The 35-year-old has faced criticism for recent opposition and form, with some analysts even suggesting his place inside the top ten pound-for-pound rankings is now under threat.
With Crawford leapfrogging to the summit, Canelo finds himself at a career crossroads. However, whatever comes next, Crawford landed a punch that will define his career and echo through boxing history on one of the best of the last two decades.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
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