Five one-sided unification clashes featuring Calzaghe, Crawford and Canelo

Five world title unifications turned into masterclasses of dominance, as champions like Calzaghe, Crawford, and Canelo overwhelmed their rivals with unmatched skill.

Shaun Brown

Five one-sided unification clashes featuring Calzaghe, Crawford and Canelo
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

In boxing, world title unification fights promise epic clashes, but some become unforgettable routs, showcasing one fighter’s absolute mastery. From Joe Calzaghe’s dazzling dissection of Jeff Lacy to Terence Crawford’s demolition of Errol Spence, these bouts redefine dominance. Following the impressive display from Jaron Ennis against Eimantas Stanionis Boxing News presents five such one-sided unifications, where skill, power, and strategy left no doubt, cementing legacies in the most unforgiving of sports.

Canelo Alvarez vs Callum Smith

Callum Smith’s height and power seemed poised to challenge Canelo Alvarez, but the Mexican’s tactics dismantled him. Targeting Smith’s arm early, Canelo dominated with punishing precision, winning a lopsided unanimous decision. Claiming the WBA super-middleweight title and vacant WBC belt, Canelo never looked like losing.

Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Vincenzo Gualtieri

Janibek Alimkhanuly faced Vincenzo Gualtieri in a middleweight unification clash, with the WBO champion eyeing IBF gold. Gualtieri, unbeaten and gritty, was expected to test Janibek’s greater skillset. Instead, Janibek’s precision and power overwhelmed him, battering Gualtieri with punishing combinations. A 6th-round TKO sealed the deal, as Janibek dominated every exchange, adding the IBF title in a one-sided showcase of his supremacy.

Artur Beterbiev vs Joe Smith Jr

Facing Artur Beterbiev often spelled trouble, and Joe Smith’s WBO light heavyweight title bid was no exception. Banking on his own power, Smith crumbled under Beterbiev’s relentless force, suffering multiple knockdowns and his bravery stopped in under two rounds. Beterbiev, adding a third world title, dominated completely.

Terence Crawford vs Errol Spence Jr

Billed as a welterweight clash evoking Leonard-Hearns, Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence was expected to be fiercely competitive, pitting the division’s clear best. Instead, Crawford dominated, dismantling Spence with three knockdowns and a 9th-round TKO, excelling at range and in close. ‘Bud’ at his peak claimed the undisputed crown.

Joe Calzaghe vs Jeff Lacy

Joe Calzaghe delivered a masterclass in this world title unification, one of boxing’s most one-sided beatdowns. The WBO super-middleweight champion overwhelmed IBF titleholder Jeff Lacy with relentless speed and volume, landing 351 punches to Lacy’s 116. Calzaghe, defying bookmakers who favoured Lacy, silenced doubters with a lopsided decision, adding the IBF belt to his reign.

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