The Herd with Colin Cowherd: THE W.A.D.E. Concept — WEEK IN REVIEW — Canelo Vs Crawford FIGHT WEEK...

Episode Date: September 15, 2025
Host: THE W.A.D.E. Concept (Wade)
Produced By: iHeartPodcasts & The Volume
Theme: Comprehensive breakdown and historic aftermath of Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, joined by guest Dana White, and live reaction to an all-time upset.

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd (THE W.A.D.E. Concept) dives deep into one of boxing’s most anticipated and consequential fights: Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford. The host delivers a two-part tactical breakdown—first on how each fighter could win, then a post-fight analysis after the shock result. The show also features an in-depth live interview with UFC and Zufa Boxing’s Dana White, who discusses the fight's promotion, the future of boxing, and combat sports’ direction. Center stage: Crawford’s stunning, decisive victory and what it means for boxing history.

1. Canelo vs. Crawford: Why Each Fighter Could Win

Part 1: Why Canelo Alvarez Could Win

[04:36–37:00]

• Physical & Experiential Edge
  • Canelo is “the bigger fighter,” more experienced at 168 lbs, fought and absorbed punches from elite names at 160–175 (Kovalev, Triple G, Bivol).
  • “He has felt the punches of Kovalev, Triple G… he has found a way to maneuver past them and end up either hurting them… or stopping them.” (09:30)
• Power Carries Up in Weight
  • Canelo’s natural strength and “devastation in his hands” have translated as he’s climbed divisions.
  • “Canelo has always carried some power, some devastation in his hands, and that's gone up with him.” (10:36)
• Crawford’s Defensive Vulnerabilities
  • As a skilled brawler who likes to trade, Crawford can be hit flush with right hands—especially overhands when operating out of southpaw stance.
  • “One of the things that gives Bud problems is an overhand right… when he is hit, it lands flush.” (16:31)
• Strategic Risks
  • Canelo’s path relies on capitalizing late as Crawford, unaccustomed to 168, slows from accumulated damage.
  • “Round by round, starting to accumulate, and Terence starting to slow down, again, not being used to the weight.” (29:00)
  • “The success Terence has early… will ultimately lead to his demise.” (33:16)

Notable Quote:
“Canelo is more dense, more solid, and fills into the weight a little better… He has found the button at many points of those fights… even if he's quote-unquote being outboxed.” – Wade [08:40/10:20]

Part 2: Why Terence Crawford Could Win

[37:00–41:37]

• Combativeness & Demand for Respect
  • Crawford can’t be timid or backfooted. He needs to “get Canelo’s respect early,” fighting in the pocket, not skirting or running.
  • “You don’t change what got you to the dance… He’s not just going to become a back foot, defensive, slick… fighter.” (38:27)
• Breaking Canelo’s Rhythm
  • Focus: High-volume jabbing, controlling range, disrupting Canelo’s low-output, rhythm-based attack.
  • “If you break his rhythm while he's trying to get to range... that was something… Triple G, Bivol took advantage of.” (39:50)
• Adaptable Styles Advantage
  • Crawford thrives as a southpaw, with the option to switch stances to create openings and disrupt counters.
  • “I fully expect Terence Crawford to be a southpaw most of this fight…” (40:08)
• Clear, Unquestionable Victory Needed
  • To overcome “A-side judging,” Crawford must win early and big: “You have to beat Canelo convincingly, point blank, period.” (41:05)

Notable Quote:
“Terence Crawford has an inability to lose that Canelo just doesn't have right now… He doesn't know how to lose.” – Wade [41:00]

Key Tactics Outlined for Both Fighters

• Canelo: Patience, bodywork, finding right hands in exchanges, banking on accumulated damage.
• Crawford: Volume punching in the pocket, sharp counters at all ranges, adaptability, and mental resilience.

2. Major Segments & Memorable Live Moments

Dana White Exclusive Interview

[41:37–61:02]

• Joining Boxing, Making Megafights

  • Dana discusses being recruited as promoter for Canelo–Crawford and the magnitude:

    "This is going to be the third biggest fight in [boxing] history… Number one, Mayweather–Pacquiao. Number two, Mayweather–McGregor. Number three, Crawford–Canelo." – Dana White [42:56]

  • Dana confirms plans for Zufa Boxing, launches a contender series in 2026, promoting production innovation and stacked undercards.

• On Competition & Eddie Hearn

  • Embraces rivalry with boxing promoters, especially Eddie Hearn (“I look forward to it… I love and respect this guy… but I love to compete.”).

• White House UFC Card, Conor McGregor, Jon Jones

  • Updates on the UFC’s upcoming events—including a White House fight night and the expectation that Conor McGregor, not Jon Jones, is a more reliable main event choice.

    "I've been in the room, I've been on the phone… When the shit hits the fan, who's really willing to go out? And Conor McGregor's always been that guy." – Dana White [52:37]

• Why Boxing Needs This Fight

  • US boxing at a “tipping point”; lauds Saudi investment:

    “...It took Saudi money to make this kind of stuff happen… This is the right time to jump in. If it's ever gonna be great again, right now is the time.” – Dana White [54:27]

3. Fight Night Fallout: Crawford Makes History

[61:02–82:22]

Immediate Breakdown: Terence Crawford’s Decisive Victory

[61:02–82:22]

• Total Domination, Not Even Close
  • “Terence Crawford just decisively beat Canelo Alvarez. He didn’t just narrowly beat him… No, he decisively beat Canelo Alvarez. And he did it by just being the better boxer.” (61:12)
• Win Built on Skill, Composure, Range Control
  • Crawford outboxed Canelo in all phases: “catch, counter,” superior hand speed, and “far more fundamental discipline.”
  • “When he was also on the offensive, he was sitting in that pocket and was able to catch the shots from Canelo, counter, catch, counter. He had far more fundamental discipline with his boxing than Canelo did.” (61:39)
• Canelo’s Offense Neutralized
  • “Canelo showed what we thought potentially would get him in trouble… one shot at a time, allowing Terence Crawford to utilize the ring, not being able to cut him off.” (62:20)
• Physical Surprises
  • Crawford absorbed body shots, “ate it up and asked for some more,” while landing bigger, faster counters.
  • “Crawford felt like the stronger guy… the shots he was landing were bigger. That straight left hand… the most damage Canelo landed was to the body.” (70:40)
• Mental Factor: Canelo’s Visible Frustration
  • “Canelo being a bit more frustrated in this fight, visibly… It wasn’t because he was frustrated with the way Terence Crawford was fighting—it was because he couldn’t win.”

Scorecards & Performance

• “It was 116–112 and then two 115–113s. It was not that close to me… it was a definitive, dominant, decisive win for Terence Crawford.” (71:09)

Legacy and Aftermath

• Crawford, Three-Division Undisputed:
  • “To move up… 135–140–147–154, forget 160, I’m going to 168 and become the undisputed champion at super middleweight. That is history making stuff.” (74:02)
• Greatest of His Generation:
  • “He is the greatest… of this generation. When we’re talking about greatest of all time, I can put him there. Top 10, yeah. Terence Crawford, he’s in there.” (76:52)
• What Next?
  • Possible retirement, nothing left to prove. “Do we really need to see a rematch? … What goes differently?”

Notable Crawford Quotes, Fight Week

• Pre-Fight Prediction:

  “When I beat you, it’s you… gonna be a nobody. When I stomp a mud hole in your ass, you’re gonna be a nobody. … Every last one of them. Stomped a mud hole in their ass—and he gonna be next. Watch.” – Terence Crawford [82:03]

• Post-Fight Pride:

  “For all the nobodies.” —Crawford’s post-fight message [81:40]

4. Key Quotes & Timestamp Index

| Time | Speaker | Key Quote / Moment | |---------|-----------------|-----------------------| | 08:40 | Wade | “Canelo is more dense... fills into the weight... has found the button at many points...” | | 10:36 | Wade | “Canelo has always carried some power... and that’s gone up with him.” | | 16:31 | Wade | “One of the things that gives Bud problems is an overhand right...” | | 29:00 | Wade | “Starting to accumulate, and Terence starting to slow down... not being used to the weight.” | | 33:16 | Wade | “The success Terence has early… will ultimately lead to his demise.” | | 38:27 | Wade | “You don't change what got you to the dance...” | | 40:08 | Wade | “I fully expect Terence Crawford to be a southpaw most of this fight…” | | 41:05 | Wade | “You have to beat Canelo convincingly, point blank, period.” | | 42:56 | Dana White | “Number one fight of all time, Mayweather–Pacquiao… Number three, Crawford–Canelo.” | | 52:37 | Dana White | “When the shit hits the fan… Conor McGregor’s always been that guy.” | | 61:12 | Wade | “Terence Crawford just decisively beat Canelo Alvarez…” | | 70:40 | Wade | “Crawford felt like the stronger guy… the shots he was landing were bigger…” | | 74:02 | Wade | “That is history making stuff. That’s the legacy win he needed…” | | 76:52 | Wade | “He is the greatest… of this generation… Top 10, yeah. Terence Crawford, he's in there.” | | 82:03 | Terence Crawford| “When I beat you, it’s you… gonna be a nobody…” |

5. Episode Takeaways

• Fight Analysis: Immersive, technical, unbiased previews for both fighters.
• Breaking News: Instant reaction—Crawford’s dominant win as one of the sport’s greatest feats.
• Industry Insight: Dana White lays out why this era and Saudi investment might truly revive American boxing; teases innovations and cross-promotional drama.
• Boxing’s Direction: The event’s outcome is framed as a historic moment that could boost American interest and redefine legacies.

6. For More

• Full Fight Tactical Analysis
  • Canelo: [04:36–37:00]
  • Crawford: [37:00–41:37]
• Dana White Interview: [41:37–61:02]
• Post-Fight Breakdown/Legacy: [61:02–82:22]

This summary serves as your all-in-one guide to one of boxing’s seismic events, as explored in real time by Wade and company. Even if you haven’t listened, you’re fully caught up on the insights, drama, and aftermath shaping the sport’s future.