Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez suffered the third defeat of his profession in 2025 – his first at super-middleweight – when Terence Crawford outpointed him over twelve rounds.
Regardless of his pound-for-pound credentials, many within the sport felt the transfer up in weight could be a step too far for Crawford, who had only one battle at 154lbs earlier than signing to face Canelo at 168lbs.
On battle night time, he did every part proper and earned the nod on all three judges’ playing cards, with scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113. Crawford grew to become the undisputed super-middleweight world champion and cemented his legacy. He would retire simply a few months later.
Although Alvarez will battle on and has his ring return booked for September this 12 months, his feedback on the defeat level to a fighter who, at 35 years previous and with 532 rounds underneath his belt, is now feeling the consequences of a protracted profession.
Talking on the Mr Versace podcast, the Mexican icon praised Crawford however stated that his physique was not responding in the way in which he needed.
“A whole lot of issues [went wrong]. My physique [didn’t] reply the way in which I actually needed, as a result of I needed to be sooner, and this and that, after which I didn’t recuperate my weight like I wanted to. My legs felt a bit of bit drained, too. However he deserved all of the credit score. He made a greater technique than me, however I feel I did properly … It’s what it’s, it’s worthwhile to take the losses and study from that and maintain going.
“[Trainer Eddy Reynoso] advised me every part, and I attempted, however my physique didn’t reply. I had cramps in my legs. It didn’t reply the way in which I actually needed. We study from that and we transfer ahead. I do know what errors I made within the battle and within the camp too. That’s what boxing is about. A winner doesn’t imply you win each time. You could study from every part.”
Canelo is about to go straight again into championship competition this 12 months, with a return confirmed at 168lbs and billed as a world title battle. Although the plans are nonetheless being finalised, Christian Mbilli, who now holds the WBC belt, is the frontrunner.
Whether or not or not camp goes higher this time stays to be seen, although Canelo ought to at the least be refreshed in a single division, having undergone profitable elbow surgical procedure on a long-standing harm.
