LAS VEGAS —
Terence Crawford and
Canelo Alvarez crossed paths one last time Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium following
their superfight during their press conferences.
Crawford had
already addressed the assembled media, discussing his historic unanimous decision to become a three-division undisputed champion, but he returned after Alvarez’s session was complete to hand back the 168-pound belts he’d just scored.
The five-division titleholder kept his special edition Ring belt worth $188,000 and commemorative WBC ring and belt, but he handed over the titles Alvarez previously owned since his own would soon be delivered.
Alvarez and Crawford shook hands and embraced each other before going their separate ways after an event that drew a gate of $47,231,887 and a
sold-out crowd of 70,482, the highest in the stadium’s history.
“It was a great night for boxing,” Alvarez said on the dais before he met with Crawford a final time. “It was a great night for the sport, and for everyone as a Mexican, and everything that I have accomplished for my people, for the country. I'm very proud.
“Crawford is a great fighter. He knows how to move, and everything.”
Alvarez was perplexed
trying to solve the Rubik’s Cube that was Crawford. He couldn't leverage his size and power that so many said he would because his body was not cooperating.
“I did what I was supposed to do, right?” Alvarez said. “I tried for every way. I trained very hard. He deserves all the credit. I tried my best. I couldn't figure out the style. … Everything [gave me trouble]. He has everything."
Alvarez added that he was never able to connect on the elusive Crawford with a big, clean shot.
Despite all of the difficulties Alvarez encountered, two of the judges had the fight scored a draw going into the 11th round, but Crawford closed the show in style to ensure he wouldn’t end up on the wrong end of the cards.
“Tonight is an opportunity to learn and evolve,” Alvarez said. “You learn from defeat.”
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.