Crawford Beats Canelo

Terence Crawford Beats Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Other Results

All Photos by Al Applerose

Written by Uppercut Staff

In one of the great moments in boxing Terence Crawford moved up an incredible two weight divisions and out-worked Saul “Canelo” Alvarez the conqueror of four weight divisions himself, to win by unanimous decision and win the undisputed super middleweight championship on Saturday.

It compares to feats accomplished by former greats such as Henry Armstrong, Sugar Ray Robinson and a small group of others.

Despite naysayers who claimed Crawford was moving up too much at one time, the

“I told you I was not here by coincidence,” said Crawford. “Canelo is a great champion, a great competitor.”

Crawford (42-0, 31 Kos) fought solely in a southpaw stance against Mexico’s Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 Kos) and showed he matched strength with the powerful Mexican redhead.

The fight began with Alvarez targeting the body early with left hooks. He continued working the body throughout the match. It was the one target Alvarez seldom missed.

Crawford used mobility effectively by never allowing Alvarez to pinpoint with power shots, except with the body. He never ran just moved side to side to keep Alvarez off-balance.

Though Alvarez connected many times during the fight, Crawford never seemed faze by the power from the super middleweight champion. Crawford also connected bit too and didn’t find success in hurting Alvarez.

Both fighters have never been knocked down and will still remain that way until they retire.

Crawford used his much longer reach to use the jabs and quick counters to score. Alvarez used counter body shots and lead right hands to score. But neither were able to change momentum of the fight with a single blow.

Instead, Crawford mounted enough scoring points to win enough rounds to win the fight by unanimous decision 116-112, 115-113 twice.

Alvarez accepted the decision with class.

“This doesn’t define me,” said Alvarez. “Total respect to Crawford. I take risks. I told him I was glad to share the ring with him.”

Though Crawford turns 38 in a couple of weeks, this is Crawford’s time to take the reins as boxing’s biggest star.

“Lot of people doubted me. I can’t sell. I don’t have no personality. It all came to a halt tonight,” said Crawford. “I just stuck to what was working.”

Callum Walsh Remains Undefeated

Ireland’s Callum Walsh (15-0, 11 Kos) out-worked Las Vegas fighter Fernando Vargas Jr. (17-0, 15 Kos) to win by unanimous decision in their super welterweight battle between to young undefeated pugilists.

Despite being a heavy-favorite Walsh was unable to overwhelm Vargas but did keep out-punching the slightly smaller son of the great Fernando Vargas Sr. Vargas surprised some with his fortitude.

Both fighters used the first round to test each other’s resolve. By the third round Walsh began to pressure Vargas who showed good defense in deflecting the powerful blows of the Irish fighter. Vargas also showed a decent chin.

If Walsh thought he would knock out Vargas, he discovered early that blows that previous foes could not survive were gobbled up easily by Vargas.

Vargas also showed an ability to attack and pressure Walsh but never could maintain the pressure. Both concentrated on the body early but several warnings by the referee changed Vargas work to the body. He refrained from too much work down there.

Walsh also showed a good chin in absorbing some overhand lefts.

Still, Vargas was in the fight but couldn’t muster enough combination punching to change the momentum. Walsh kept attacking though he was unable to hurt his foe. Every round seemed like the previous one. Walsh advancing forward and Vargas contering.

After 10 fairly close rounds all three judges scored in favor of Walsh 99-91 twice 100-90.

Vargas did not complain.

Walsh retains his regional super welterweight title.

Other bouts

Undefeated super middleweight contenders Christian Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 Kos) and Lester Martinez (19-0-1, 16 Kos) banged it out from the opening round until the final bell and ended in a split draw.

It was a violent slugfest and surefire candidate for Fight of the Year.

Mbilli, who fights out of Canada, opened up with guns blazing against Guatemala’s Martinez  who is seeking to be his country’s first world champion. Both landed crushing blows in their phone booth battle. Neither blinked.

Each fighter walked in knowing that 40 of their previous foes did not survive and expected each other to be a victim.

Not on Saturday night.

Martinez had the better defense but Mbilli never stopped punching with his head down and pressing forward. It forced Martinez against the ropes for half of the fight.

Once the Guatemalan figured out the escape route from Mbilli’s pressure, he was able to rally from behind in the second half of the fight. It was pure violence.

Adams Beats Bohachuk Again

Brandon Adams (26-4, 16 Kos) and Serhii Bohachuk (26-3, 24 Kos) didn’t need a feel out round in their rematch and immediately slugged it out in the opening round that saw Adams win by unanimous decision in the super welterweight match.

It was vicious.

Adams won their first encounter by knockout but this time Bohachuk was ready for the American super welterweight and both fired big blows for 10 rounds. Knockouts are always the preferred method of victory for these two but neither was able to score a knockdown.

Adams worked the body early and finished with overhand rights that connected all 10 rounds. Bohachuk fired uppercuts from unusual angles and left hooks too. Despite landing a large amount, neither fighter came close to tasting the canvas.

After the midway point, Adams seemed to slip away with more effective work. Bohachuk continued to fire away but needed a round changing blow to change the momentum. It never arrived.

Both fighters fired away in the 10th and final round with each connecting with big blows. But all three judges saw Adams the winner 99-91, 98-92 twice.

Alakel Remains Undefeated

Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alakel (6-0, 1 KO) walked in with new trainers Abel Sanchez and Ben Lira and walked out a winner by decision over Travis Crawford (7-5, 2 Kos) in a lightweight fight.

It was Alakel’s first contest at 10 rounds.

Behind a sharp jab Alakel was able to establish distance from Crawford who needed six rounds to figure out the Saudi fighter’s weakness.

Crawford began timing his attacks and worked inside the long quick jab of Alakel and connected with rights and lefts. Though Crawford had several good moments, the jab and quick combination blows from Alakel kept the fight under his control.

After 10 rounds with no knockdowns, judges scored the fight 99-91 twice and 98-92 all for Alakel.