Boxing fans eagerly anticipate one of this generation's most significant matchups on September 13, 2025, as undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (63-3-3, 39 KOs) takes on WBA junior middleweight champion Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs). This bout is set to settle a long-standing debate over who deserves ESPN's pound-for-pound top spot, a position both fighters have contended for over the past six years. Crawford, 37, is making a bold move, stepping up two weight classes from his last fight at 154lbs to challenge Canelo, 35, boxing's highest earner for most of the last decade. While Canelo's star appeal remains bright, he enters the ring against an opponent currently ranked higher on ESPN's pound-for-pound list, though Crawford has been less active, fighting once a year since 2020, with his most recent being a decision win over Israil Madrimov in August 2024.

For Crawford, a victory over Canelo would be historic, making him the only male boxer in the four-belt era to achieve undisputed champion status in three different weight classes, a feat that would solidify his legacy as a top pound-for-pound fighter. Canelo, on the other hand, is looking to rebound from a somewhat disappointing decision win over William Scull in May, aiming for a win that would elevate him from his current No. 8 pound-for-pound ranking. The fight promises to be a clash of titans, showcasing the pinnacle of boxing talent.

A deeper look into their careers reveals a series of defining moments:

Canelo Alvarez's Career Milestones:

Best Performance: Gennadiy "GGG" Golovkin 3 (September 17, 2022)
In the final chapter of their trilogy, Canelo secured a clear unanimous decision win over a 40-year-old Golovkin. This victory, four months after his decision loss to Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight, was a perfect response, settling previous controversies and reaffirming his undisputed super middleweight championship with scorecards of 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112.

Best Knockout: Sergey Kovalev (November 2, 2019)
This 11th-round KO showcased vintage Canelo. Stepping up two weight divisions (15 pounds) from middleweight to light heavyweight, Alvarez patiently waited for his moment. He dropped Kovalev with a left hook before delivering a crushing right cross, leaving him draped over the ropes. This landmark win made Canelo a world champion in a fourth weight class, putting him alongside Mexican greats like Juan Manuel Marquez.

Most Important Fight: Gennadiy Golovkin 1 (September 16, 2017)
Despite ending in a controversial split draw (with one judge later removed), this fight was a crucial turning point for Canelo. The public criticism spurred him to produce better performances, motivating him to win the subsequent two fights against Golovkin and conquer two additional weight divisions, silencing critics who questioned his initial performance.

Most Dominant Win: Billy Joe Saunders (May 8, 2021)
Canelo delivered a brutal beatdown in this super middleweight title unification bout. An eighth-round pulverizing right uppercut closed Saunders' right eye and fractured his orbital bone, leading to a corner stoppage. Alvarez unified the WBC, WBA, and WBO super middleweight titles in front of a record 73,126 indoor boxing crowd.

Most Disappointing Performance: William Scull (May 3, 2025)
Despite a comfortable unanimous decision win that saw him regain his undisputed super middleweight title for the second time, Canelo's most recent outing was anticlimactic. His Saudi Arabia debut, following a mega-bucks deal, was described as a "sleep-inducing affair." He threw a meager 152 punches, the second fewest in a 12-round fight in CompuBox's 40-year history, leading to widespread criticism. This performance is largely attributed to him doing just enough to set up the highly anticipated fight with Crawford.

Terence Crawford's Career Milestones:

Best Performance: Errol Spence Jr. (July 29, 2023)
Crawford delivered a technical master class, flooring his biggest rival three times en route to a ninth-round stoppage. He picked off Spence with ease, knocking him down in Round 2 with a left-right combination and twice more in Round 7 with a counter right and a heavy right hook. This victory saw Crawford become the undisputed welterweight champion, solidifying his position as ESPN's No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer.

Best Knockout: Yuriorkis Gamboa (June 28, 2014)
In his first WBO lightweight world title defense, Crawford stopped the unbeaten Gamboa in Round 9. Despite being knocked down four times, Gamboa showed immense bravery, winning early rounds. Crawford's sweet right uppercut in Round 9 uprooted Gamboa, securing a memorable knockout in an intense brawl.

Most Important Fight: Ricky Burns (March 1, 2014)
Crawford traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, to challenge local hero Burns for the WBO lightweight title. Then 26, Crawford dominated from the fourth round, winning by unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111, 116-112). This win, his first world title, launched his career, leading to world titles in four weight classes and enhancing his reputation globally.

Most Dominant Win: Amir Khan (April 20, 2019)
Crawford’s sixth-round TKO over Amir Khan stands out for his complete dominance. He dropped Khan in Round 1 and continued to inflict punishment, leading to Khan's corner stopping the fight after an unintentional low blow in Round 6. Crawford's combination of power, speed, and ring IQ, along with his ability to switch stances and land twice as many punches, bamboozled Khan.

Most Disappointing Performance: Israil Madrimov (August 3, 2024)
Crawford secured a unanimous decision win over Madrimov to become a four-division champion, capturing the WBA junior middleweight title. However, Crawford expressed disappointment afterward, noting Madrimov's strength and discipline, and that it was the first time he went the distance since 2016. This tactical chess match highlighted the need for a tighter defense against bigger opponents, a crucial factor ahead of his super middleweight clash with Canelo.

Ahead of their mega-bout, Crawford has undergone an "incredible body transformation," bulking up considerably to challenge for Canelo's 168lb super-middleweight titles. Canelo, in preparation for Crawford's switch-hitting style, has enlisted the services of undefeated former welterweight champion Jaron Ennis for sparring. The boxing world is also buzzing with middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr.'s declaration that he aims to fight the winner of Canelo vs. Crawford in 2026, after his upcoming rematch with Conor Benn in November.