Las Vegas – Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez walked next to his wife and one of his daughters to the fortune scene in a giant tent a few meters from the alleging stadium, the place where he had just lost for the third time in his professional career.
Visibly affected by more than the marks left on his face, Álvarez recognized that Terence Crawford was superior to him. He had no excuses, but he seemed to point out that his body told him that his boxer time would run out.
During the last laps, the frustration of Álvarez was obvious. He reclaimed, shook his head and repeatedly appeared to be resigned. Although he had an excellent training camp, his 35th birthday, including 20 as professionals, were obvious.
Yes, Crawford is 37 years old, but Álvarez finished 26 more fights than Crawford entering their fight on Saturday evening.
Terence Crawford hits Canelo Álvarez in a championship match of the undisputed super-media in Las Vegas on Saturday.
(David Becker / Associated Press)
“Sometimes you try and your body can no longer bear it,” said Álvarez. “This is my frustration. Maybe I don’t understand Crawford, but my body can not bear it anymore. I tried, but it wouldn’t let me continue. And you have to accept it.”
Álvarez lost the fight of the average weight title by unanimous decision, the judges marking him 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 before a record announced a crowd of 70,482.
Álvarez recognized that he had landed on his opponent, but none with the cleanliness and power that would have changed the course of the fight.
“I struck Crawford, but I did not get clean of all my strength,” deplored Álvarez.
Despite his difficulties, the native of Guadalajara reiterated that he had never abandoned in the ring.
Is this the start of the end for Álvarez? Maybe. But early retirement seems unlikely … especially when it continues to be a lock of the box office. The last evidence is in the $ 47,231,887 in raw income generated by ticket sales at the Allegiant Stadium, according to Live Gate.
Canelo-Crawford’s fight has become the largest box office draw in the history of the place of Las Vegas, and with 70,482 fans present, it was the most assisted boxing event in the history of the United States, going beyond Ali-Spinks II.
Crawford has stripped Álvarez of its World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Assn. (WBA), the belts of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
After the fight, Álvarez raised his right arm in triumph. But he did not declare himself a winner as he did after his defeat against Dmitry Bivo in 2022.
Álvarez accepted his defeat against a much superior opponent who facilitated his victory.
Canelo Álvarez hits Terence Crawford in a uncontepired average weight championship match in Las Vegas on Saturday.
(David Becker / Associated Press)
On the other hand, hearing the verdict, Crawford knelt in the ring before lifting his arms to celebrate the victory.
“I knew that I had won when the last bell sounded. It is not my plan, it is God’s plan. I only carry out his mission,” said Crawford.
Emotional, he remembered his team and the people who accompanied him.
“When they doubt me, they doubt my team. They thought they could not take me where I wanted to go because they are not from a big city and they have no recognition,” said Crawford. “But here we are, making history. I am at the forefront, and behind me comes a new generation. ”
Although he celebrated intensely, Crawford did not depreciate Álvarez, recognizing the quality of the former champion.
Victory is an important step for Crawford. He is now the first male boxer to be the undisputed champion of three different divisions in the era of four belts. With an undefeated record of 42-0 and 31 Knockouts, it is held at the top of its generation.
“It was not easy. It seemed just like that, but it was not the case. He is definitely the best opponent I have ever faced,” said Crawford.
After confirming his third defeat, Álvarez’s gaze was not that of a man who knew that he would receive more than $ 100 million to be mounted on the web at the alleging stadium. His gaze was that of someone whose body had reminded him that the end of a famous career was closer than he thought.
Terence Crawford reacts after the last bell of his fight with Canelo Álvarez, not illustrated, in their battle of undisputed average weight title on Saturday in Las Vegas.
(Steve Marcus / Getty Images)
He appeared with the serenity of a man who, although injured, knew how to recognize the greatness of his opponent.
“I tried everything I could and I trained very hard, and it deserves all the credit. Tonight, I gave everything, but I don’t understand his style,” said Álvarez.
Crawford saw the frustration of Álvarez in the first hand. Towards the sixth round, Crawford knew that he had to take another step to completely control the fight because he felt Álvarez adapting to the rhythm of the fight, so he pressed his stronger style and exceeded álvarez.
Everything he did was part of the plan he had developed during his training camp. Although Crawford wanted to be more active, his coaches reminded him of being disciplined and patient.
Much has been said about the difficulties he could encounter to increase two weight categories, but the American insisted that he did not feel physically disadvantaged against Álvarez.
“People have exaggerated this. He and I have practically the same size,” said Crawford. “I’m a little bigger, my arms are longer. The difference is minimal. So when they said, “Canelo is enormous”, it seemed disrespectful to me. Tonight you could see that we were also matching. ”
When asked if what complicated things most for him was the speed, movement or power of Crawford, Álvarez replied: “Everything. He has everything. “
For the first time since 2018, Álvarez is no longer a world champion.
“I feel like a champion whatever happens. Winning or losing, I always feel like a champion,” said Álvarez. “You have to accept defeat and accept everything. I will continue. “
When asked if Floyd Mayweather Jr., who had given him his first professional defeat in 2013, was better than Crawford, Álvarez replied No.
“I think Crawford is much better than Floyd Mayweather,” said Álvarez.
Álvarez told by bringing his family together in the locker room to explain the importance of accepting both victory and defeat.
Canelo Álvarez kisses his wife, Fernanda Gomez, after losing against Terence Crawford (not illustrated) in their battle as an undisputed medium weight on Saturday in Las Vegas.
(Steve Marcus / Getty Images)
“My children and my wife were a little sad, but I told them it was like that. It is not a defeat, it’s a lesson,” said Álvarez. “You have to accept both sides of the medal. This is what I want to teach them, that you learn as much when you win as when you lose. “
Visibly moved, he talked about his newborn daughter, 1 month old, who was waiting for him at their hotel.
Álvarez has avoided giving clear details on his next steps and has given himself time to think. His future decisions will involve his family, who will accompany him in victory and defeat.
The defeat against Crawford will not trigger the immediate retirement of Álvarez because it has a contract of four fights worth 400 million dollars with the Turki Alashikh and Riyadh season, but it could change its strategy in the planning of opponents.
“I want to see what’s going on in the future. There will certainly be good things, ”said Álvarez. “I won just here.”
Although his inheritance is already ensured with a career covering more than 20 years, several titles in different divisions and victories on big names, this loss marks a turning point. The question will be how he reacts, that he seeks to take revenge immediately or that will take another path.
Victory Place Crawford on a historic pedestal alongside Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, becoming the third linear champion in four divisions and the second boxer to reach an undisputed status in three categories, which only Henry Armstrong had reached in 1938 in another boxing era.
“It means a lot because they have always said that I had fought the nobodies. Well, what can they say now? I did everything I said I was going to do,” said Crawford. “I went up two divisions, I faced the undisputed champion and I took all his titles. It’s great. “
When asked to compare himself to Mayweather, Crawford was respectful.
“Floyd was the best of his time. I am the best of me. There is no need to compare us,” said Crawford.
The event was mainly assisted by Mexican fans who hoped to see Álvarez cement his heritage more. But they left after witnessing a great performance by the opponent of Álvarez.
The fans hué Crawford, who walked towards the ring dressed in an outfit inspired by the 1995 “Desperado” film, with Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, accompanied by live music and guitar in hand.
At the end of the fight, the same fans applauded him, recognizing his great performance against the defeated champion.
Terence Crawford displays his title belts after defeating Canelo Álvarez (not illustrated) in an unquestioned average weight title fight by a unanimous decision.
(Harry How / Getty Images for Netflix)
“It was part of my outfit. The outfit was inspired by the film “Desperado”. As you can see, I had the guitar and everything, ”said Crawford. “My great childhood friend, Jacinto Robles, was the one who interpreted a song and played tonight. … As I said, I also have Mexicans and Latinos on my side. It was a beautiful night.”
Unlike many other fighters, Crawford says little, is reserved but intense when he attacks his opponent, avoids theaters and arrives directly to the point. Overcoming Álvarez in front of his fans, dominating most of the rounds and becoming just the third person to defeat Álvarez is more than enough to shout with pride, but he did not do it.
Crawford waited until the end of the media appearance of Álvarez in the giant tent to return the Mexican belts which were given to him in the ring. He could have done it in private in the locker room, but he did it in front of the media and the family Álvarez as a sign of respect, tending his hand to his rival.
“When I signed the contract, I already knew that I was going to beat him,” said Crawford. “It’s not a surprise for me. It’s a surprise for all of you because you don’t believe me. But I always knew I could do it. ”
This The article appeared for the first time in Spanish Via Spanish times.
