Canelo: 'Crawford is Way Better than Mayweather'

While Crawford remained diplomatic, Canelo Alvarez was far more blunt in his assessment.

“I think Crawford is way better than Mayweather,” Alvarez said at the post-fight press conference, contrasting two of the three men who have defeated him.

The Mexican superstar admitted his frustration in trying to implement his game plan against Crawford, who boxed brilliantly from the southpaw stance to win by unanimous decision before a sold-out Allegiant Stadium crowd in Las Vegas.

History Made at Allegiant Stadium

Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs), who moved up two divisions for the fight, outboxed Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) with a mix of speed, ring IQ, and tactical sharpness. Judges scored it 115-113 (twice) and 116-112 for the Omaha native, who added Alvarez’s WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, and Ring Magazine super middleweight titles to his résumé.

Already a fully unified champion at junior welterweight and welterweight, Crawford now holds distinction as a five-division world champion a historic achievement at age 37, soon to be 38.

Mayweather vs. Alvarez, Then and Now

The night also reignited memories of Alvarez’s 2013 bout with Floyd Mayweather at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Back then, a 23-year-old Alvarez lost convincingly to the undefeated five-division great, though one scorecard famously read 114-114 in a fight most felt was one-sided.

Twelve years later, Alvarez entered the ring a vastly more seasoned four-division champion. Yet against Crawford, he again found himself outmaneuvered by a master tactician.

Legacy Secured

For Crawford, the win represents his long-sought breakthrough moment on the biggest stage. With global Netflix distribution and the magnitude of Allegiant Stadium, he delivered in historic fashion.

While Canelo was willing to spark the “better than Floyd” debate, Crawford’s focus stayed on his own path.
“I proved tonight what I’ve always believed: I’m the best of my era. That’s all that matters.”