Canelo Alvarez sends surprising message to Terence Crawford after losing fight

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has called on Terence Crawford to accept a rematch after losing to the all-time great boxer on points.

Crawford, 37, became the first male fighter in the modern era to hold undisputed titles in three weight divisions as he dismantled Alvarez, 35.

The America had no problems jumping up two weight divisions as he outclassed the great Canelo to underline his status as pound-for-pound the best boxer in the world and an all-time legend of the sport.

After quietening the 70,000 pro-Alvarez crowed at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas with a 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 win, Crawford fell to his knees in celebration.

Crawford, who now boasts a record of 42 wins and no defeats, said: ‘I’m not here by coincidence,” said Crawford, draped in the WBA (Super), WBC, WBO and IBF super-middleweight titles.

‘Canelo is a great champion, I have to take my hat off to him, he’s a great competitor and I have great respect for him. He fought like a champion.’

The WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF-superb-middleweight champion did not rule out retiring after his 42nd consecutive victory.

‘I don’t know, I’ve got to sit down with my team and we’ll talk about it,’ he added. ‘I want to say thank you to all the supporters and the haters.

‘I appreciate you all. Shout out to my fans and those supporting Canelo. We get to go home to our children.’

Alvarez, meanwhile, said it would be ‘great’ to have a rematch with Crawford after tasting defeat for only the third time from 68 fights.

‘I feel great,’ the Mexican said. ‘I want to thank everyone that came to support.

‘I’m a winner for being here. The fact I’m here makes me a winner. I take risks and that’s what I did.

‘I feel great to share the ring with great fighters like him. If we do it again then it’ll be great. I feel strong. Crawford is a great fighter, a skilled fighter.

‘I already accomplished a lot in boxing. My legacy is already there and I like taking risks because I love boxing.’

The boxing world paid tribute to Crawford after his stunning victory, with Ryan Garcia claiming he might be the greatest of all time.

‘Crawford has proved it, he’s arguably one of the best to ever lace on gloves,’ he posted on social media. ‘I actually believe Crawford may be the best fighter of all time.

‘Canelo will forever be an inspiration to not only me but so many other people. I love you man you are a legend in victory and defeat.’

Former two-weight world champion Andre Ward added on Netflix: ‘I want to take my hat off to Canelo Alvarez. He didn’t have to take this fight, hats off to him for that.

‘Terence Crawford truly did it his way and a lot of people were wrong. If this is his last fight, he’s done everything he wanted to do.’

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