Why Did Canelo Lose His Crown to Crawford Despite Landing Over 80 Power Punches?

On a night when the boxing world held its breath, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez faced Terence “Bud” Crawford in one of the most anticipated showdowns of modern boxing. The bout did not end with a knockout. Instead, it stretched across a grueling 12 rounds, ultimately awarding Crawford a unanimous decision victory with scorecards reading 116–112, 115–113, and 115–113. With this win, Crawford became the undisputed super middleweight champion, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of his era.

The outcome shocked many fans. Statistically, Canelo landed more than 80 power punches — an impressive feat that would usually tilt the fight in his favor. Yet, despite this, Crawford walked away with the crown. Why did Canelo lose? Why did his signature “killer weapons” fail against Crawford’s unrelenting southpaw style? And what does this mean for the future of both fighters?

This article explores these questions in depth, breaking down the fight, highlighting the strategies, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of both fighters, and uncovering the deeper psychological and historical layers of this historic clash.

Round-by-Round Summary: How Crawford Seized Control

Early Rounds (1–3): Establishing the Southpaw Rhythm

Crawford wasted no time asserting his southpaw stance. His jab became the defining weapon of the opening rounds, landing consistently and disrupting Canelo’s forward momentum. By maintaining distance, Crawford neutralized Canelo’s early attempts to unleash body shots, a signature tool in Canelo’s arsenal. The Mexican champion, often known for starting slow, once again fell into this familiar rhythm — giving Crawford the chance to bank points and build confidence.

Middle Rounds (4–7): Canelo’s Best Moments

Canelo found some success in rounds 4 and 5, landing a few thunderous right hands and effective body shots. These were moments when it looked like the tide might turn. Fans in the arena roared as Alvarez pushed forward, attempting to impose his will. Yet, Crawford remained composed, absorbing the pressure and responding with crisp counterpunches. Even when Canelo managed to land clean, Crawford’s movement and jab continued to frustrate him.

Championship Rounds (8–12): Crawford’s Takeover

As the fight wore on, Crawford’s precision, balance, and confidence grew. By the championship rounds, he was landing flush left hands, sharp counters, and combinations that repeatedly found Canelo’s face. Round 11 was particularly telling: Canelo came forward hunting for a knockout blow, but Crawford dismantled him with jabs, counters, and footwork. By round 12, it was clear — Canelo’s power alone could not win the night.

The Keys to Crawford’s Victory

The Southpaw Advantage

Crawford’s decision to fight southpaw was pivotal. This stance forced Canelo into uncomfortable positions and prevented him from settling into his preferred rhythm. The angle of Crawford’s left hand created openings while simultaneously shutting down Canelo’s right-hand counters.

The Jab as a Weapon of Control

The statistics tell the story: Crawford out-jabbed Canelo 45 to 16. That differential is massive at this level of boxing. Every jab served multiple purposes: controlling distance, disrupting rhythm, blinding Canelo to incoming counters, and frustrating the Mexican’s attempts to get inside.

Footwork and Ring Generalship

Crawford’s footwork was masterful. He circled, pivoted, and reset constantly, never allowing Canelo to trap him against the ropes or corners for extended periods. By controlling the geography of the ring, Crawford dictated the fight’s pace and positioning.

Mental Composure in the Later Rounds

Where Canelo pressed desperately for a fight-changing blow, Crawford remained calm and precise. His discipline allowed him to finish strong in the final rounds, cementing the judges’ decision in his favor.

Targeting the Face, Not the Body

Canelo’s body shots are legendary. But Crawford neutralized them by focusing his attacks on Canelo’s head. Landing consistently on the face not only scored points but also eroded Alvarez’s confidence and narrowed his offensive options.

Why Canelo’s Weapons Failed

Slow Start Costing Momentum

Canelo’s traditional slow start once again hurt him. By the time he ramped up his aggression in rounds 4 and 5, Crawford already had a scoring advantage and the rhythm of the fight under control.

Body Shots Neutralized

Though Canelo landed over 80 power punches, many of them were absorbed or deflected by Crawford’s defense. The jab disrupted his timing, preventing him from landing body shots with consistency or chaining them into combinations.

Lack of Tactical Adjustment

Great fighters adapt mid-fight. But Canelo seemed stuck in his game plan, unable to neutralize the jab or Crawford’s lateral movement. He rarely attempted clinches, feints, or sudden bursts to break the rhythm.

Fatigue and Decline in Later Rounds

By rounds 10–12, Canelo’s output slowed, while Crawford maintained composure and accuracy. The inability to finish strong highlighted either a conditioning gap or the overwhelming mental pressure imposed by Crawford.

Over-Reliance on Power

Canelo banked too heavily on landing one fight-changing punch. Against a defensive genius like Crawford, this strategy proved insufficient. Volume, precision, and tactical variation were needed — but absent.

Psychological Warfare: Beyond the Punches

Crawford’s dominance wasn’t just physical; it was psychological. By consistently landing his jab, evading heavy shots, and frustrating Canelo’s rhythm, he chipped away at Alvarez’s confidence. This psychological edge manifested most clearly in the later rounds, where Crawford looked calm and composed, while Canelo appeared increasingly desperate.

Canelo, once considered invincible, looked vulnerable. For a fighter of his stature, the mental toll of losing control in such a high-stakes fight could have long-term implications.

Historical Context: Crawford’s Place in Boxing Lore

Crawford’s win is more than just another victory. It makes him the first male boxer to become undisputed champion in three weight classes. This feat places him among the pantheon of greats — a claim even Canelo, despite his accomplishments, cannot make.

For years, Crawford was criticized for lacking marquee opponents. That narrative is now dead. By dethroning Canelo — the long-reigning super middleweight king — Crawford erased doubts about his legacy.

The Broader Impact on Boxing

A Shift in the Value of the Jab

This fight underscored the jab’s importance at the elite level. While power shots draw attention, control through jabs and ring generalship often decides outcomes.

Canelo’s Aura of Invincibility Shattered

For years, Canelo carried an aura of near invincibility at super middleweight. Crawford stripped that away, showing that discipline and strategy can overcome raw power.

MMA and Cross-Sport Parallels

Fighters like Ilia Topuria have referenced this fight, framing Crawford’s victory as controversial or as “stealing” from Canelo. Regardless of interpretation, the drama expands beyond boxing, fueling narratives across combat sports.

Fan Divides and Debates

The decision, though unanimous, sparked heated debates among fans. Some argued that power punches should outweigh jabs; others insisted Crawford’s control made him the clear winner. This division keeps the fight alive in conversations worldwide.

What’s Next for Both Fighters?

For Terence Crawford

• Defending the Crown: As the undisputed super middleweight champion, Crawford has options. Will he defend against another top-ranked fighter or seek even bigger legacy fights?

• Challengers Ahead: Names like David Benavidez, Jermall Charlo, or even a rematch with Errol Spence Jr. loom as possibilities.

• Legacy Building: Every fight from here adds to his historical resume. Crawford now holds the leverage to dictate terms.

For Canelo Alvarez

• Adjustments or Decline?: Will Canelo adapt his style to counter jab-heavy fighters, or has he reached a plateau?

• A Potential Rematch: A Crawford rematch could redefine his career, but only if he demonstrates significant tactical growth.

• Fan Perception: This loss forces fans and analysts to reconsider Canelo’s dominance. Is he still a top pound-for-pound fighter, or is the decline beginning?

Conclusion: Why Power Alone Wasn’t Enough

Canelo Alvarez landed over 80 power punches — a statistic that, on paper, should indicate dominance. Yet boxing is not decided on raw numbers alone. Terence Crawford’s jab, footwork, ring IQ, and psychological composure systematically dismantled Canelo’s approach. The Mexican warrior’s reliance on power was insufficient against Crawford’s tactical brilliance.

The fight serves as a reminder: in boxing, precision beats power, strategy trumps aggression, and composure outlasts desperation. Crawford’s victory not only crowned him as the new king but also etched his name deeper into the annals of boxing history.

For Canelo, the loss is both a challenge and an opportunity — to reinvent himself, adapt, and prove that even kings who fall can rise again.