Terence Crawford stuns Canelo to become boxing's first three-division undisputed champion

Terence Crawford produced a defining performance in Las Vegas on Saturday night, outpointing Saul "Canelo" Alvarez to become the first man in the modern era to hold undisputed titles in three weight divisions.

Crawford won by unanimous decision at Allegiant Stadium, the judges scoring the bout 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113. The 37-year-old from Omaha captured the WBA (Super), WBC, WBO and IBF super-middleweight belts in front of an estimated 70,000 spectators, many of them vocally supporting Alvarez.

Crawford, who moved up three weight classes for the fight, used footwork, timing and a varied attack to neutralise Alvarez's size and strength. He took control from around the fifth round and kept Alvarez on the back foot for much of the second half of the contest, landing frequent combinations and keeping his heavier opponent off balance.

"I'm not here by coincidence," Crawford said after the fight, draped in the four belts. He added that he would discuss his future with his team, not ruling out retirement after his 42nd straight professional win.

Alvarez, 35, who was fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend, was unable to turn the partisan crowd into a decisive advantage. The four-division world champion landed his trademark chopping shots and had moments of success early, but he was repeatedly frustrated by Crawford's defence and counterpunching. The defeat was Alvarez's third in what was reported as his 68th professional bout.

Judges' scorecards painted a closer picture than many observers saw from ringside. Two scorecards read 115-113, a one-round margin, while the third gave Crawford a four-round edge at 116-112. The verdict drew immediate discussion about the narrowness of two of the cards, but did not diminish the historical significance of Crawford's achievement: undisputed champion status in three weight divisions.

Crawford's rise to undisputed status at super middleweight followed earlier undisputed reigns in lower divisions, and his victory in Las Vegas will alter the landscape at the 168-pound limit. Promoters, sanctioning bodies and both fighters' teams are expected to outline next steps in the coming days, including potential mandatory defences and big-money rematches.

The bout unfolded on one of boxing's biggest stages, and while Alvarez's supporters filled the stadium and roared throughout, Crawford's performance largely silenced the crowd as the fight progressed. Analysts and former fighters noted the technical quality of Crawford's display, saying he combined speed, ring IQ and accurate punch selection to offset Alvarez's physical advantages.

Crawford's comments about possibly stepping away from the sport will add another layer of interest to his future. For Alvarez, the loss will prompt evaluations of his camp and campaign plans as he seeks to remain among boxing's top stars. The result marks a significant milestone for Crawford's legacy and will be a major talking point across boxing for months to come.