Who Is Terence Crawford? The Man Who Defeated Canelo

Who is Terence Crawford, Canelo’s conqueror?

He made boxing history.

From survivor to undisputed champion against Canelo.

The life of Terence “Bud” Crawford has always been tied to adversity. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in a neighborhood where violence was part of everyday life.

As a child, his own mother would pay other kids to beat him up, convinced it would toughen him for the harshness of the world. That upbringing forged the resilient character that today defines his style both inside and outside the ring.

The scar under his right ear didn’t come from boxing but from an incident that nearly cost him his life.

At age 21, a stray bullet grazed his neck while he was driving through his city. He managed to drive himself to a hospital, fully aware that he had survived by a miracle. From that moment, his career became a story of endurance and overcoming the odds.

Who Is Terence Crawford, the Man Who Beat Canelo?

Crawford found in the gym an escape from the chaos around him. He began training at age seven with discipline, and as an amateur, he fought more than 70 bouts.

In 2008, he debuted as a professional and quickly stood out for his speed, precision, and impeccable defense.

By 2013, he became a world champion for the first time in the lightweight division.

From there, his career turned into an unstoppable streak: he conquered titles across different divisions until he became the undisputed champion in three categories—something no other boxer had ever achieved.

He entered the Terence Crawford vs Canelo fight with an undefeated record of 41 wins, 31 by knockout.

His elegant yet aggressive style placed him among the pound-for-pound best of the last decade, building anticipation every time he stepped into the ring.

The Historic Night in Las Vegas

PHOTO: EFE

On September 14, 2025, Terence Crawford achieved the greatest victory of his career by defeating Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

With more than 70,000 spectators in attendance, the American moved up two weight classes and still managed to win decisively.

The result was clear: a unanimous decision victory and the capture of all four super middleweight titles that the Mexican had defended since 2021.

With this triumph, Crawford became the first boxer in history to be the undisputed champion in three different divisions.

For Canelo, it was his third loss in 68 fights, while for Crawford it was the crowning moment that solidified his legacy as one of modern boxing’s greatest fighters.

“I did what I had to do and worked for this moment,” he declared after the fight. His life story, marked by violence and survival, found in the ring the perfect stage to transform into sporting glory.

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