The boxing world has once again been thrown into a whirlwind of debate, controversy, and outrage following the blockbuster showdown between Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford. What was billed as a historic clash between two generational talents ended not just with Crawford’s hand raised, but with a verdict that many believe was unjust.
Following the fight, a visibly frustrated and passionate Canelo Álvarez addressed the media and fans, declaring:
> “I’m not the only one who thinks so.”
These words have become a rallying cry across social media, boxing communities, and global sports media outlets as fans and experts alike question the fairness and accuracy of the judges’ scorecards.
## Setting the Stage: A Superfight Years in the Making
The buildup to the Álvarez vs. Crawford fight was immense. Both fighters came into the ring with illustrious résumés. Canelo Álvarez, the pride of Mexico, is a four-division world champion and the reigning undisputed super middleweight champion. His résumé includes victories over Gennady Golovkin, Sergey Kovalev, Caleb Plant, and Billy Joe Saunders.
Terence Crawford, on the other hand, cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of the modern era by becoming the undisputed welterweight champion, dismantling Errol Spence Jr. in a career-defining performance. His ability to adapt, box from either stance, and shut down elite opponents earned him a reputation as arguably the most technically sound fighter in the world.
With Canelo holding all the super middleweight titles and Crawford moving up two weight classes to challenge him, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Not only were titles and pride on the line, but legacy as well.
## Fight Night: Clash of Styles, Strategies, and Willpower
On fight night, the atmosphere at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was electric. Thousands of fans traveled from Mexico, Nebraska, and beyond to witness what was being called one of the greatest pound-for-pound matchups in boxing history.
From the opening bell, it was clear that both fighters respected each other’s power and skill. Canelo came forward with his characteristic aggression, applying pressure, cutting off the ring, and targeting Crawford’s body. Meanwhile, Crawford was elusive, circling away from danger, using his jab effectively, and countering with sharp precision.
Throughout the early rounds, Canelo seemed to be landing the harder, cleaner shots. His body work, in particular, appeared to be taking a toll on Crawford. But as the fight progressed, Crawford’s rhythm improved. He began landing crisp counter shots and combinations, especially when Canelo loaded up on power punches.
The final rounds were tense. The audience was split—some saw Canelo as the ring general who imposed his will, while others favored Crawford’s movement, defense, and ring IQ.
## The Scorecards and the Controversy
When the final bell rang, both fighters embraced, but neither raised their hands with absolute confidence. That silence was soon shattered when the official scorecards were read aloud:
– Judge 1: 117–111 for Crawford
– Judge 2: 116–112 for Crawford
– Judge 3: 115–113 for Crawford
The announcement drew a mix of gasps, applause, and boos from the crowd. Canelo shook his head in disbelief, while Crawford offered a reserved celebration, fully aware of the controversy that was brewing.
### Canelo Speaks Out
During the post-fight press conference, Canelo didn’t hold back:
> “Look, I respect Crawford. He’s a great fighter, very smart. But I won that fight. I landed the stronger shots. I controlled the tempo. I hurt him to the body. I made the fight happen, and I made it my fight.”
> “What are we doing here if judges see a completely different fight than what everyone else sees? I’m not the only one who thinks so—you’ve all seen the fight. You know what happened in there.”
### Reactions Across the Boxing World
Canelo’s remarks struck a chord, and the support came pouring in from all corners of the boxing community. Legends, analysts, and fighters voiced their concerns about the decision.
– Juan Manuel Márquez said on ESPN Deportes:
_“In my opinion, Canelo won at least seven rounds. It was close, but those wide scorecards are a problem.”_
– Oscar De La Hoya posted on X (formerly Twitter):
_“Another fight, another controversy. The judging in boxing needs to be fixed before we lose all credibility.”_
– Shawn Porter, a former opponent of Crawford, said on his podcast:
_“Canelo was the aggressor. He landed the power shots. That was not a wide decision. That was razor-close, and I could’ve seen it going either way.”_
Even Teddy Atlas, known for his blunt takes, commented:
> “117–111? What planet is that scorecard from? That judge should never score another fight again.”
## Punch Stats Tell a Complex Story
According to CompuBox, the total punch statistics were:
– Canelo Álvarez: 183 landed (512 thrown) – 36%
– Terence Crawford: 168 landed (456 thrown) – 37%
While Crawford had a slight edge in accuracy, Canelo landed more punches, especially in power categories and body shots. Analysts argue that damage and aggression should count more in close rounds, particularly when one fighter is advancing and taking risks.
## Crawford’s Side of the Story
Despite the controversy, Crawford stood firm on his victory:
> “I did what I had to do. I stayed composed, made him miss, and landed the cleaner shots. That’s how you win fights in boxing. This isn’t street fighting. It’s about science.”
Crawford emphasized that the game plan worked perfectly. “I knew I couldn’t stand in front of him too long. He’s a monster. But I made him miss a lot, and I picked my spots.”
While gracious in victory, Crawford didn’t close the door on a potential rematch. “If it makes sense, if the fans want it, we’ll do it again. I’ve got no problem beating him twice.”
## Fans Demand a Rematch
As Canelo stated, he’s not the only one who believes the decision was questionable. Within hours of the fight, social media exploded with calls for a rematch.
Hashtags like #CaneloCrawford2, #RematchNow, and #FixBoxingJudging began trending worldwide. Polls conducted by ESPN, The Ring Magazine, and BoxingScene showed that over 58% of fans believed Canelo either won or deserved a draw.
Fan reactions:
– _“Canelo walked him down for 12 rounds and landed the harder punches. Crawford played it safe and ran. How is that a dominant win?”_
– _“I love Bud, but this was a draw at best. The 117–111 score was robbery.”_
– _“We need to see this fight again. There’s unfinished business.”_
## The Business Side: Why a Rematch Makes Sense
From a promotional standpoint, a rematch is inevitable. The first fight generated over 1.7 million PPV buys and sold out the arena, making it one of the highest-grossing boxing events of the decade.
Promoters like Eddie Hearn, Al Haymon, and Bob Arum understand the magnitude of a rematch built on controversy. With the narrative already written—unfinished business, disputed judging, legacy on the line—a second fight would likely surpass the first in revenue and attention.
Eddie Hearn told DAZN:
> “We’ve got a modern rivalry here. Crawford got the win, but Canelo’s demand for redemption is powerful. That’s the kind of fire that sells fights.”
## What a Rematch Could Look Like
If a rematch is made, there are several changes that fans and experts are demanding:
– Neutral Judging Panel: Judges from countries unaffiliated with either fighter.
– Open Scoring: Announce round-by-round scores to fighters and fans.
– Use of VAR/Technology: Digital scoring assistance to track clean, effective punches.
– Revised Weight Agreements: Possibly a catchweight clause to balance the physical difference.
The rematch would likely take place in 2025, with potential venues including Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, AT&T Stadium in Texas, or even Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Canelo would have overwhelming crowd support.
## What’s at Stake for Both Fighters?
For Canelo Álvarez, the rematch is about redemption. A loss here could spell the twilight of his career at the top level, while a win would silence critics and reestablish him as boxing’s biggest star.
For Terence Crawford, a second win would place him among the greatest to ever lace up gloves—joining the ranks of Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather, and Roberto Durán as dominant multi-division champions who beat the very best.
There’s more than just titles on the line—legacy is at stake.
## Boxing’s Larger Problem: The Judging Crisis
Beyond this fight, the controversy has exposed the deep cracks in boxing’s judging system. Inconsistent scoring, lack of transparency, and unaccountable judges have plagued the sport for decades.
Until there’s structural reform—through standardized training, modernized tools, and global oversight—these controversies will continue to undermine boxing’s credibility.
Canelo’s outcry is not just about his own loss—it’s a reflection of how many fighters have been impacted by questionable decisions.
## Conclusion: This Story Isn’t Over
Canelo Álvarez’s words, “I’m not the only one who thinks so,” are echoing louder with each passing day. The world saw a competitive, close fight that could have gone either way—but the lopsided scores left a bitter taste in the mouths of millions.
Whether driven by pride, principle, or unfinished business, Canelo’s demand for a rematch is not just justified—it’s necessary.
Terence Crawford may have gotten the official victory, but the true winner of this rivalry is yet to be determined. The world waits for the announcement that will settle the debate once and for all.