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Canelo Alvarez put his undisputed super middleweight title on the line and attempted to hand Terence Crawford his first career loss on Saturday. The fight card marked the first Zuffa Boxing event promoted by UFC CEO Dana White under TKO.
Legacies were on the line when the two met inside the ring at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Crawford moved up in weight to challenge Canelo. A win over Canelo would make Crawford the only men’s fighter to be undisputed champion in three weight classes.
Crawford worked to establish his jab early. Alvarez remained patient and started to let his hands go in the final minute of the frame. The cleanest shot of the round came from Crawford who connected with a combination midway thought the round. MMAWeekly score the round 10-9 for Crawford due to volume.
Alvarez invested in targeting the body and cut off the ring in the second frame. Crawford continued to work behind his jab. MMAWeekly scored 10-9 for Crawford.
The pace picked up in the third. Alvarez continued to target the body. Crawford began landing counter shots, but Alvarez’ punches had more on them. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 Crawford.
Crawford largely neutralized Alvarez’ offense. He connected with counters while employing a higher output than the champion. Alvarez landed his first clean right hand of the fight. As the fourth round played out, Alvarez began finding his range. In the closing seconds, Alvarez connected with a clean right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Alvarez.
Alvarez pressed forward in the fifth and outworked Crawford. He continued to go to the body. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Alvarez.
Crawford took the fight to Alvarez to start the sixth. He connected with a clean left hand as Alvarez closed the distance. Crawford outboxed Alvarez taking the round 10-9 on MMAWeekly’s scorecard.
The seventh round saw a lot of fighting on the inside. Crawford pumped his jab keeping Alvarez at distance. Crawford had a higher output. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Crawford.
Alvarez stalked Crawford in the eighth but Crawford employed a higher volume of punches banking another round.
They slugged it out to start the ninth. Crawford connected in the pocket. Alvarez fired back. An accidental headbutt caused a small cut over Crawford’s right eye. Canelo pressed forward when he fight was restarted. Both men threw heavy shots. Alvarez’ right hand began to find a home, but the round went to Crawford on MMAWeekly’s scorecard.
Alvarez’ right hand continued to find a home. Crawford worked quick combinations. Alvarez’ shot packed more power but Crawford landed at a higher rate. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Crawford.
Alvarez started the 11th by going to the body. Crawford continued to put together combinations. Midway through the round, Alvarez connected with a right hand that popped Crawford’s head back. Crawford responded with a five-punch combination to the body. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Crawford.
As Alvarez moved into the pocket, Crawford would meet him with punches. Crawford connected with a clean left. hand counter. Alvarez inched forward but couldn’t land anything significant. They punched it out in the final seconds. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Crawford.
The judges scored the fight for Crawford by unanimous decision. The scorecards read 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113.
Canelo vs. Crawford Full Results
Main Card
Terence Crawford def. Canelo Alvarez via unanimous decision. (116-112, 115-113, 115-113)Callum Walsh def. Fernando Vargas Jr. via unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 100-90)Christian Mbilli vs. Lester Martinez ruled a split draw (93-97, 96-94, 95-95) – interim WBC title fightMohammed Alakel def. Travis Crawford via unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 98-92)
Preliminary Card
Brandon Adams def. Serhii Bohachuk via unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 98-92)Jermaine Franklin def. Ivan Dychko via unanimous decision (96-93, 95-94, 97-92)Reito Tsutsumi def. Javier Martinez via TKO (R1, 2:18)Sultan Almohammed def. Martin Caraballo via unanimous decision (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)Raiko Santana def. Steven Nelson via TKO (R1, 2:38)Marco Verde def. Sona Akale via TKO (R4, 1:11)
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