When the scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 were announced, Terence Crawford dropped to one knee in the center of the ring and broke down in tears. After more than a decade of chasing the moment that would cement his greatness beyond boxing’s paywalled spotlight, the 37-year-old from Omaha finally had it. In front of over 70,000 fans in Las Vegas and millions watching on Netflix, Crawford outpointed Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez to become the only male fighter in history to claim undisputed titles in three different weight classes.

For Alvarez, Saturday marked just the third loss of his legendary career. Crawford, despite entering as the underdog and coming off nearly a year away from the ring, put on a masterclass that left Canelo looking mortal. Dominating nearly 90 percent of the fight, the Nebraskan southpaw dismantled the aura of invincibility that had followed the 63-3 boxer for years. And now, with the performance of a lifetime, Crawford hasn’t just earned another belt, he’s earned the praise of Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule, who sees the unbeaten pound-for-pound king as a living example of perseverance and excellence.

Terence Crawford’s secret weapon? Zero fear of risk

Just hours after witnessing history inside Allegiant Stadium, Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule joined BSalSportsGuy to share his thoughts on Terence Crawford’s career-defining win over Canelo Alvarez. Asked about the satisfaction of seeing Omaha’s own succeed on boxing’s biggest stage, Rhule beamed with pride. “He is the best of the best. And what a great fight. Canelo is a great competitor, but it was not close. I mean, Bud is the best pound-for-pound king. And I loved watching the fight. What a great city. What a great event. Amazing,” Rhule said, echoing the sentiment felt across Nebraska as Crawford cemented his legacy.

The conversation soon turned to the venue itself. For Rhule, it was his first visit to Allegiant Stadium, a place he never reached during his NFL coaching stint. “My first time. When I was a head coach in the NFL, we never came here. I didn’t last long enough to get here. But you know, we love coming here. We come here for meeting days,” he admitted with a laugh, before praising Las Vegas as a premier sports destination. “The restaurants, the city are amazing, but the sports events are outstanding. And watching this tonight was the epitome of great, great sport.”

Asked about Crawford’s status back home, Rhule didn’t hesitate to describe just how beloved the undefeated champion is in Omaha. “He is beloved. Because you know what? He’s made it, but he did not leave. He comes back. He gives back to the kids, gives back to the community. And as we say, he risked it all on the line. Like it was not for the money tonight. It was for his legacy. And he is the best. He is the pound-for-pound king. I can’t be happier right now. I am so happy because I love that man.” For Rhule, Crawford’s greatness isn’t only measured in titles, but also in his loyalty to Nebraska.

The host pressed further, asking if Terence Crawford’s mindset was the type every coach wished their athletes possessed. Rhule’s response was both lighthearted and insightful. “I’d be undefeated,” he joked, before adding a lesson for players, parents, and coaches alike. “Hey, but like it’s a good note for parents, for coaches. It’s not about your talent. It’s about your mindset. Kids that are positive, kids that like things. And you know what? Sometimes, if you want to attack things, you are going to fail. But don’t fail and think of it as failure. It’s a setback to make you better. That’s who Bud is. He just wants to be the best there. I love him. I’m so happy to be here. Thank you guys. So much, Vegas. Like this was an amazing night.”

Inside the ring, Bud Crawford had backed every word with action. From the opening bell, the 37-year-old dominated Alvarez, throwing 216 more punches and outlanding him 115 to 99. His speed, precision, and tactical brilliance kept the Mexican star guessing throughout the fight. Even Alvarez, normally unshakable, admitted afterward, “Everything [gave me trouble]. He has everything.” But is Alvarez ready to run it back against Crawford?

Rematch or regret? Canelo’s next move after Crawford Defeat

After the fight, a battered and visibly shaken Canelo Alvarez needed a moment to absorb the sting of defeat. Once collected, he took to X with a message of humility and gratitude. “I feel very proud of everything I’ve achieved so far; we always want to win, but I accept this defeat with humility and learning,” Álvarez wrote. He went on to thank those closest to him, adding, “I am very grateful to my team for all the sacrifices we’ve made together over all these years. I already won because I have my family with me and millions of fans who have never stopped supporting me. ¡Viva México, Cabrones!”

When asked about the possibility of running it back, the 35-year-old seemed open to the idea. “Like I said to him, I feel great to share the ring with great fighters like him,” he said. “If we do it again, it’s going to be great. I’m glad to share the ring with great fighters, and I’m glad to be here. I already did a lot in boxing, [I’ve] already accomplished a lot in boxing. My legacy is already there. I [am] still taking risks because I love boxing.” For the Mexican icon, a rematch would be less about legacy and more about love for the fight itself.

What makes a rematch likely? Betting markets have already reacted: odds favor Crawford in a potential rematch, reflecting both his dominance in this fight and public perception. Meanwhile, his trainer Brian McIntyre mentioned that the camp will re-evaluate after rest and family time, leaving the door open.

On the other side, the Nebraskan southpaw wasn’t nearly as eager. Fresh off the defining win of his career, the Omaha native admitted he wasn’t sure what came next. “I don’t know,” Terence Crawford said. “I gotta sit down with my team and we’ll talk about it.” The lack of immediate interest hinted that retirement, or at least a lengthy break, could be on the table for the newly crowned three-division undisputed champion.

For now, the future remains up in the air. Whether there will be a second chapter between Canelo and Crawford is uncertain, but what’s undeniable is the respect that now exists between them. That said, what do you think Terence Crawford will do next?