The 35-year-old was dethroned as undisputed super-middleweight champion by Bud, 38, who moved up 14lbs to produce a masterclass on the scorecards last September, outmanoeuvring and outworking Alvarez over 12 rounds.
Alvarez has now admitted his body failed to respond in the way he expected on fight night.
Speaking on a Ring Magazine podcast, he said: “My body didn’t respond the way I really wanted. I wanted to move faster. I didn’t recuperate my weight like I needed. So, I felt a little bit tired, and my legs felt a little bit tired, too.”
The defeat surprised many observers given Alvarez’s natural size advantage and experience at the weight, but Crawford’s speed, footwork and ring intelligence proved decisive.
Canelo struggled to close distance and was repeatedly beaten to the punch by Bud, widely regarded as one of the most technically complete fighters of his generation.
Reflecting further on the bout, Canelo said: “I did well, even if my body didn’t really feel like I wanted. I tried, but my body didn’t respond. I had cramps in my legs, so it doesn’t respond the way I want.”
Crawford’s performance not only earned him undisputed status but also marked the final fight of his career, with the American subsequently announcing his retirement and vacating his world titles.
That decision has effectively ended any immediate hopes of a rematch, something Alvarez has openly pushed for since the final bell.
Canelo said: “I always give all his credit but we need to run it back. That’s why after the fight I say ‘we need to run it back, this fight’ because I don’t feel the way I really want and I need to make this fight happen again, and it’s going to be different.
“I think for him to deserve all the credit he need to give me the rematch, obviously. But he decide to retire and we need to accept that and move forward.”
With Crawford retired, Alvarez is now focused on the next phase of his career, and it has been confirmed he will return to the ring on September 12, 2026, in Saudi Arabia - with two fights still remaining on his contract with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.
Speaking in a video shared by The Ring, Alalshikh said: “Wait for us in September, 12th of September. Big, big, big fight. This will be the first card for Canelo Promotions. It will be named ‘Mexico Against the World’.”
