A Blow That Shakes Boxing

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez’s defeat to Terence Crawford didn’t just cost him his WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF titles – it sent him crashing to 10th place in The Ring’s pound-for-pound rankings. For a fighter who has long been considered boxing’s king, this fall represents a major shock to his legacy and to Mexican boxing as a whole.

The Fight That Changed Everything

The September 13th clash at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was a masterclass from Crawford, who neutralized Canelo’s power and combinations with surgical precision. The American not only cemented his status as the No. 1 fighter in the world but also extended his unbeaten record to 42-0, handing Canelo the third loss of his career after Floyd Mayweather (2013) and Dmitry Bivol (2022).

Canelo’s Present and Future

At 35, Canelo is at a crossroads. He still has two fights left on his four-fight deal under Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh, meaning there’s still time to prove he belongs at the top. Rumors about his next opponent include Christian Mbilli, Hamzah Sheeraz, David Benavidez — and even a possible crossover mega-fight with Jake Paul, which could be more spectacle than sport but would draw massive attention.

More Than Just a Ranking Drop

This fall in the rankings is more than a statistic — it’s a warning sign. With fighters like Usyk, Inoue, and Beterbiev dominating their divisions, the competition is fiercer than ever. Fans are now wondering if Canelo can adapt and reinvent himself to climb back to the top or if this is the beginning of the decline of one of boxing’s most dominant champions.