TERENCE CRAWFORD put on a boxing masterclass to dominate Canelo Alvarez and become undisputed super-middle master.
The 37-year-old Nebraska hero became a THREE-WEIGHT four-belt emporer by clearly convincing the judges with scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113.
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ROUND ONE
Crawford, the Nebraska icon, was booed into the Allegiant stadium by Canelo’s Mexican-American fans.
But he didn’t let the welcome or occasion get to him as he bounced and strolled around the Las Vegas ring like he owned it.
Alvarez, 35, was boomed into the squared circle by a monochrome mariachi band, complete with sombreros.
All the while, American East-Coast audiences on Netflix fumed about how late the fight was running as Brits prepared to watch the fistic classic over their cornflakes.
Stunningly, as Michael Buffer thanked all the Saudi sponsors, the unimpressed US crowd seemed to boo and jeer their involvement.
Switch-hitter Crawford started in the southpaw stance and pinged out all the early jabs.
Canelo waited a full two minutes before he unleashed a couple of spiteful left hooks to the body and a pair of clubbing right hands.
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But Crawford caught the head shots and then landed a lovely lead left hook to snatch the round.
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ROUND TWO
Canelo kept slashing that left hook body blow in and Crawford shook his head to tell the judges he wasn’t hurting.
Crawford kept poking and prodding with his range-finding jab but Canelo was only thudding in power blows that the home fans and three judges would like.
Crawford did land a decent check-hook and Canelo’s pale face reddened slightly.
But it was another one on the bank for the Mexican.
ROUND THREE
Crawford bagged the third with a crisp one-two counter after another Canelo left-hook-body-shot.
Canelo was always the one pushing the pace but Bud was happy boxing on the backfoot and scoring from distance.
Canelo seemed to take the session off, to catch his breath and Crawford grabbed the chance.
ROUND FOUR
Crawford made the perfect start to the brilliant fourth, peppering Canelo from all angles with trademark speed and skill.
It looked like an easy round for the American.
But then Canelo landed two arrow-like rights, directly on Crawford’s forehead.
The Omaha man shipped them well and ended the stanza on attack again to swing it back in his favour.
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ROUND FIVE
Wild end to the fifth as Canelo almost slips Crawford up and over the top ropes and into the VIP seats.
The 35-year-old had chased Crawford all over the ring for another three even minutes and then they clinched on the ropes.
Rather than break, Canelo grabbed the challenger and lifted him off of the floor.
One false move and the pair could have toppled over.
But the scene calmed and the bell went to calm Canelo.
Canelo had secured the round with constant pressure.
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ROUND SIX
Canelo’s right cheek and eye socket get marked up after a brilliant Crawford left hand off of the back foot and the ropes.
Crawford loved the middle session, pinging Canelo with jabs and grinning when he dodged the attacks coming back.
The two-weight undisputed legend looked slick and fresh and light.
And after banking the session, Canelo’s corner told him he “must be more active”.
ROUND SEVEN
Crawford took the daring bet to stand and trade with Canelo in the middle of the ring – and it paid off.
After six sessions of backfoot moving, he dived in the pocket and swapped short and chopped hooks.
Canelo looked surprised that he could not bully the man from the smaller divisions.
And Crawford’s busier and more accurate work should have charmed the judges.
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ROUND EIGHT
Canelo huffed and puffed but Crawford was classy in defending his chin.
Ringside promoter Dana White was so intrigued by the action that he started typing on his phone in the middle of the round and didn’t bother looking back up until the bell ended the latest razor-close round.
Both corners told their charge how tight it was and how they had to up their game.
ROUND NINE
Incredible from the bell as the veteran pair unleash hell and then Crawford is cut around the eye by an accidental head clash.
Crawford pinged in a couple of fizzing combinations that smacked the sweat off Canelo.
But the Mexican icon clubbed blows back.
And the incredibly ungrateful crowd booed the rare and deserved moments of rest.
ROUND TEN
Canelo must have realised by the tenth that Crawford was not going to be hurt by any of his single power punches but he could – or would – not change his style or plan.
Crawford was playing the matador perfectly, spearing shots through Canelo’s guard and gliding out of range after he had landed.
Even Canelo’s most vicious right hands were easily telegraphed and Crawford’s combination increased in number and panache as he was able to go through the gears, scoring and showboating at the same time.
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ROUND ELEVEN
Crawford put on a masterclass down the stretch, catching and slipping punches and eating the odd ones that did land.
Canelo was disgusted with himself when he was tagged by another jab and got revenge with a right hand.
But Crawford kept his form and composure and scored on the backfoot and always shook his head when Canelo rained blows down onto his perfectly placed gloves.
ROUND TWELVE
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Crawford got told he was boxing beautifully and to show more of the same, by his corner.
Canelo’s team told him it was close and tight and he needed a grandstand finish.
It was the American who starred in the finale again, he forced Canelo back and smiled through his gumshield.
Canelo was deflated and soon to be defeated, his lack of a plan-b clear for the well to see.
And Crawford ended the fight backing the supposedly bigger and badder man into the corner and having his wicked way
