Terence Crawford beats Canelo Alvarez with history-making performance

Terence Crawford upset Canelo Alvarez with a vintage performance to become a three-weight undisputed world champion.

Crawford was jumping up two weight divisions to take on the super-middleweight champion but was always in control as he took the fight to Alvarez. Ultimately, all three judges gave him the nod in Las Vegas, by scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113.

Crawford had previously ruled at light-welterweight and welterweight and moved to 168lb specifically to take on Alvarez who was unbeaten in the division. But it was Crawford who looked far more at home as he drove the Mexican to the verge of frustration before being crowned first man to hold all four belts in three divisions.

READ MORE: Carl Froch changes his mind on Canelo Alvarez as he makes new fight prediction after weigh-in

READ MORE: Ex-world champion Billy Joe Saunders sentenced after being caught in illegal dog chase

"When I set my sights on doing something and I know what I'm capable of, it's not a surprise to me," said Crawford. "It's a surprise to you but I knew I could do it, I just needed the opportunity. This means a lot to me because anybody can be a nobody and that's who they say I've been fighting, so what can they say now?"

"I feel great, I feel strong. I give credit to Crawford. He’s a great fighter," he said. "I’m a winner for being here. There’s no defeat here. I take risks."

Alvarez nicked an opening round which was more of a feeling-out process for both men. Alvarez was cutting the ring off effectively but Crawford began to warm into the fight from the second session as he looked for the left-hand counter.

Crawford looked more comfortable in the third round before the fourth exploded into action. An uppercut from the challenger began a combination which left Alvarez momentarily without answers. But the Mexican champion stalked his challenger for the remainder of the round and a right hand on the bell was a timely reminder of his power.

Alvarez edged a quieter fifth round but Crawford, who wore a permanent smile on his face, replied in the sixth with a straight left reddening his rival's eye. And the challenger was happy to stand and trade, answering any fears he would struggle to deal with Alvarez's power having jumped up two divisions.

Crawford continued to edge ahead before Alvarez nicked the eighth round. But Crawford stepped on the gas in the ninth, putting Canelo under pressure until an accidental headbutt from the Mexican briefly halted proceedings and saw Crawford take a backseat for the remainder of the session.

Alvarez had his right hand firing again in the 10th round to set the fight up for the final six minutes. But it was the same shot from Crawford in the penultimate session which left Alvarez visibly frustrated as he stared down the barrel of defeat.

And he couldn't find the stoppage he needed over the final three minutes as Crawford finished the fight on top. Both men celebrated a premature victory before the judges gave the challenger the nod, perhaps by slightly unkind margins.