On a night that will go down in history as one of the most shocking boxing, Terence “Bud” Crawford offered an action that defined his career, dismantling Saul “Canelo” Álvarez in a brutal surprise on April 18, 2025 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The undefeated American star not only took an amazing bag of $ 100 million, but also left the Mexican legend collapsed in the canvas, causing the frenzy of the public that crowded the stadium and rewriting the hierarchy of sport. The fight, nicknamed “Thunder in Las Vegas”, has unleashed world chaos, with fans and analysts shocked by the dramatic fall of one of the greatest boxing icons. Here we tell you how the night was developed and what it means for the future of sport.
Accumulation: A fight over the centuries
The confrontation between Crawford (41-0, 31 kos) and Canelo (60-2-2, 39 kos) was announced as a duel of Titans, facing King Libra by Libra against the undisputed Supermedian champion. Crawford, Excluson of Welter and Superwelter weight, uploaded two divisions to challenge Canelo, who was the favorite to win due to their size and experience in the 168 pound category. The fight included a record bag of $ 100 million for Crawford, financed by a Saudi support promoter, making it one of the most large awards days in the history of boxing.
The tension reached its peak, with Crawford promising “shocking the world” and Canelo dismissing it for being “too small for me.” The promoters promoted the fight as a battle against power, with the devastating blows to Canelo’s body against Crawford’s surgical precision and their domain of march change. The Las Vegas strip bullish in advance, and the payment records per event broke, attracting more than 3 million purchases worldwide. However, few could have predicted the chaos that would be unleashed in the ring.
The fight: a master class that becomes mortal
From the first bell, Crawford showed that it was not a loser. His speed and foot game overwhelmed Canelo, who had difficulty connecting his power blows. Crawford’s ability to alternate between the orthodox and left -handed position kept Canelo in suspense, and for the third assault, the Mexican star was visibly frustrated, failing completely while Crawford connected crisp and blunt counterattacks. “Canelo can’t touch it, Bud is on another level!” Andre Ward shouted from ESPN from the ringside.
Canelo reacted in the intermediate assaults, using its size to corner Crawford against the ropes and unleash blunt blows. A powerful left hook in the sixth assault shook Crawford, who smiled challenging, but was visibly hurt. The exchange of blows put the public standing, and both fighters refused to surrender. For the eighth assault, both were battered: Canelo’s face swelled and Crawford bleed by a cut on the eye. The stage was ready for a dramatic end.
The brutal discomfort: Canelo’s collapse
In the ninth assault, Crawford unleashed a sequence that will be remembered for decades. With a rod of jab, he dodged Canelo’s counterattack and connected a devastating right -wing uppercut, followed by a brutal left hook to the temple. Canelo’s legs gave up and collapsed on the canvas with a deaf blow, with the inert body while referee Robert Byrd ended the fight at 2:03 of the assault. The stadium exploded in a mixture of cheers and exclamations of amazement while Crawford raised his fists triumphantly, while the medical staff went to his side.
The Mexican legend remained out of the courts for several agonizing minutes, which generated fears for their health. The doctors later confirmed that Canelo suffered a serious brain shock, but was stable after being subjected to stretching and transferred to a nearby hospital. Seeing Canelo, one of the most resistant boxing warriors, collapsed in the canvas shocked all the sport, and fans in X published: “I can’t believe it, Canelo had never been hurt like this!” And “Crawford has just ended a dynasty!”
The triumph of Crawford and 100 million dollars of glory
Crawford’s victory consolidated his status as the best pound per pound, winning not only the $ 100 million bag, but also the medium weight titles of the AMB and the WBB for Canelo. In his interview after the fight, a bloody but euphoric crawford devoted the victory to his hometown, Omaha, Nebraska. “I told everyone that I would surprise the world; this is for everyone who doubted me,” he said, grabbing the belts. When asked about the state of Canelo, Crawford showed respect and said: “He is a warrior, I pray to be fine. But tonight, I demonstrated that I am the best.”
The 100 million dollars, one of the most large in the history of boxing, has also generated debates about the financial future of sport. Financed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, the reward reflects the growing influence of the Middle East money on combat sports. Some fans held the Crawford award, and a user published: “Bud deserves every penny, has just made history!” However, others criticized the tendency of the “merit award”, arguing that it eclipses the purity of sport.
Canelo’s fall: the end of an era?
Canelo’s team issued a statement confirming that it is under observation, but “determined to become stronger.” The promoter Eddie Hearn described the defeat of “devastating”, but promised that Canelo would fight again, possibly in a rematch with Crawford. “Saul is a champion, he will return,” Hearn saidBoxing Scene. However, the severity of Canelo’s collapse has raised concerns about his future, and some analysts, such as Tom Grayde The RingThey suggest that you might need a long break. “That was a brutal knockout; he needs to prioritize his health,” Gray said.
Fans cry the fall of a legend, with an X after words: “Canelo has been the boxing’s face for a decade, it is painful to see it.” Others exaggerate Crawford’s brilliance, with #Crawfordcanelo as a trend along with the knockout videos. The fight has also revived the debate on category jumps, and Crawford’s success has been compared to Marvin Hagler’s surprise victory over Sugar Ray Leonard in 1987.
What will be the next for boxing?
Crawford’s victory has transformed the sport panorama. At 37, he is now undisputed champion in three divisions, and the requests of a rematch with Canelo already increase. However, Crawford hinted more ambitious plans, hinting at a possible promotion at 175 pounds to continue making history. “I have not finished, I want all fame,” he said, with an eye on a confrontation with the King of the Semipesados, Dmitry Bivol.
For Canelo, the way ahead is uncertain. At 34, it is still a world icon, but this defeat, the most devastating of his career, could mark the end of his domain. A rematch with Crawford would be a resounding success, but health concerns could delay their return. The consequences of the fight have also generated a broader debate on the safety of boxers, and some ask for more strict medical protocols after such a heartbreaking knockout.
Terence Crawford’s surprise victory over Canelo Álvarez, with a prize of 100 million dollars, on April 18, 2025, unleashed chaos in the world of boxing. The brutal victory of the American left a Mexican legend demolished in the ring. The triumph of Crawford consolidates its legacy as a pound legend per pound, while Canelo’s collapse marks a radical change in sport. While fans discuss what follows: a rematch, retirement or new challenges, one thing is clear: “Thunder in Las Vegas” has changed boxing forever, and the echoes of that knockout in the ninth assault will resonate for years. Are attentive to the next chapter of this electrifying saga.