Álvarez succumbs to Crawford as icon’s career may be on ropes

Mexican legend says he couldn’t keep up as he loses his four belts to superior opponent.

- By Jap EL REDA

DAVID BECKER Associated Press TERENCE CRAWFORD, right, lands a punch on Canelo Álvarez in the super middleweight showdown won by Crawford by unanimous decision Saturday night.

Sail “Canelo” Alvarez walked alongside his wife and one of his daughters to the makeshift stage in a giant tent a few feet from Allegiant Stadium, the venue where he had just lost for the third time in his professional career.

Visibly affected by more than just the marks left on his face, Alvarez acknowledged that Terence Crawford was superior to him. He made no excuses, but he seemed to be signaling that his body was telling him that his time as a boxer was running out.

During the final rounds, Alvarez’s frustration was evident. He lowered his hands, shook his head and on several occasions appeared resigned. Despite having had a great training camp, his 35 years of age, 20 of them as a professional, were evident. Yes, Crawford is 37, but Alvarez completed 26 more fights than Crawford entering their bout Saturday night.

“Sometimes you try and your body just can’t take it anymore,” Alvarez said. “That's my frustration. Maybe I can’t understand Crawford, but my body just can’t take it anymore. I tried, but it just wouldn't let me continue. And you have to accept that.”

Alvarez lost the super middleweight title bout by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 before a record announced crowd of 70,482.

The Mexican star acknowledged that he landed blows on his opponent, but none with the cleanliness and power that would have changed the course of the fight.

“I hit Crawford, but I didn’t land any clean blows with all my strength,” lamented Alvarez.

Despite his difficulty, the Guadalajara native reiterated that he never gave up in the ring.