Maxboxing Upset of the Year 2025 Terence Crawford UD 12 Saul Alvarez

It’s hard to imagine a fighter as talented as Terence Crawford winning a fight and calling it an upset. But, there were a lot of factors going into this fight that really propelled it to an “upset’ level victory.

Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) turned pro 17-years ago as a 135-pound fighter, and won his first world title at that weight in 2014.

Over the next 11 years, he then moved up to 140, 147, and 154 and won world titles at all 3 weights. Viewed as vastly talented and an outstanding technician in the ring, he was impressive in all facets of his game.

However, his 2025 assignment would see him make a jump up 2 weight classes to face the sport’s biggest star in Mexican banger Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at 168-pounds.

His previous performance before the Alvarez fight was 14 pounds lighter in a UD win over Israil Madrimov in the summer of 2024 to win the 154-pound title. He struggled with Madrimov, and many questioned his effectiveness at the higher weight.

Alvarez, a strong, hard-punching multiple world champion, boasted an impressive 63-2-2 (39 KOs) record over a 20-year career. His peak days were behind him at age 35, and he sported a lot of miles on him, having turned pro as a 15-year-old teenager. But Alvarez’s strength and size were considered simply too much for the naturally smaller Crawford.

However, in front of a packed Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 13, Crawford did what he said he would do all along. He boxed, moved, and banged his way to a competitive but clear decision over Alvarez, who was simply a step behind all night.

While Many believed that the vastly talented Crawford would be a tough task for Alvarez, despite the size difference, most felt the 2 division jump would weigh heavily in the outcome.

Well, nobody told Terence, and he masterfully boxed his way to the “Upset of the Year” for 2025.

He has locked up his place in Canastota when he becomes eligible. And, he recently announced his retirement. Will he say retired? Who knows? But if he chooses to exit on this one, it was quite the win!

Congratulations to Terence “Bud” Crawford on winning MaxBoxing’s “Upset of the Year" 2025.