SHOCKING NEWS: Terence Crawford Admits the Shocking Truth Behind His Victory Over Canelo Alvarez and the Real Purpose of the $500 Million Contract: “He Paid Me and Asked Me to Use….”

In a confession that has detonated the boxing world, Terence “Bud” Crawford has admitted to the shocking truth behind his controversial victory over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 13, 2025, revealing the dark underbelly of the $500 million contract that orchestrated the fight. In an explosive interview with ESPN Boxing on September 19, 2025, at 9:00 PM EDT (10:00 AM ICT, September 20), Crawford dropped the bombshell: “He paid me and asked me to use….” The incomplete sentence, cut short by a dramatic pause, has left fans and analysts reeling, fueling speculation about bribes, banned substances, and a rigged outcome. As the Nevada Athletic Commission scrambles to respond, Crawford’s admission threatens to destroy his legacy and expose a conspiracy at the heart of boxing’s biggest event.

The Fight That Was Supposed to Be Historic

The Alvarez-Crawford super middleweight title fight at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas drew a record 70,482 fans and over 41 million viewers on Netflix, generating a staggering $500 million in revenue from tickets, streaming, and sponsorships. Crawford, stepping up two weight classes, secured a unanimous decision victory (116-112, 115-113, 115-113), claiming the WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF, and Ring Magazine titles and becoming the first male boxer to hold undisputed belts in three divisions in the four-belt era. But what was hailed as a masterclass has unraveled into scandal, with referee Thomas Taylor’s admitted bias, Crawford’s positive drug test, and now this bombshell confession.

The $500 million contract, brokered by Saudi financier Turki Al-Sheikh through his Zuffa Boxing partnership, was the largest in boxing history, with Crawford reportedly earning $150 million and Alvarez $100 million. Critics had questioned the deal’s opacity, but Crawford’s admission suggests it was more than financial—it was a vehicle for manipulation.

Crawford’s Bombshell Confession

In the ESPN Boxing interview, conducted remotely from Omaha, Nebraska, Crawford appeared somber, his usual confidence replaced by regret. “It’s time to come clean,” he said. “The victory over Canelo… it wasn’t all me. He paid me and asked me to use….” Crawford trailed off, his voice cracking, before adding, “I can’t say more right now, but the world needs to know. The contract was a cover for something bigger.” He hinted at “external forces” pressuring him to ensure a win, tying into earlier scandals: his failed test for a synthetic testosterone derivative and Taylor’s confession of favoring Crawford to “crown a new king.”

Crawford refused to name “he,” but context points to Al-Sheikh or a high-level promoter. “The money was too good to say no,” Crawford admitted. “But it cost me my soul.” The interview clip exploded on X, amassing 30 million views in minutes and sparking #CrawfordConfession, which trended globally with 15 million engagements. “Bud just admitted he was bought! Boxing is dead #CrawfordCheated,” one user posted. Another wrote, “This is huge. The $500M contract was a bribe? #ExposeTheTruth.”

The $500 Million Contract’s Dark Secret

The contract’s “real purpose,” as Crawford alluded, appears to be a facade for influence. Sources close to the deal told The Ring that clauses buried in the fine print allowed for “performance incentives” tied to outcomes, potentially including substance use. Crawford’s incomplete sentence—”asked me to use….”—has fueled theories of mandated doping to level the playing field against Alvarez’s power. “They wanted a spectacle, not a fair fight,” Crawford said. “The contract guaranteed Crawford’s win, no matter what.”

This revelation builds on Pacquiao’s accusation of bribed judge Max DeLuca and Taylor’s bias admission. The Nevada Athletic Commission, already probing the fight, has subpoenaed contract documents, with a hearing now expanded to include Crawford’s testimony on September 22.

The Boxing Community’s Shock

The reaction has been seismic. Canelo Alvarez, responding on X, wrote, “Bud’s confession proves I was robbed. Justice now #VivaMexico.” Promoter Eddie Hearn called it “the biggest scandal in boxing history,” demanding the fight be voided. Manny Pacquiao, who first exposed bribery claims, tweeted, “I knew it. The man in disguise is unmasked #PacquiaoTruth.” Crawford’s camp issued a denial, claiming the interview was “edited out of context,” but ESPN released the full footage, showing no manipulation.

Fans on X are in uproar. “Crawford sold out for $500M? Disgusting #StripTheTitles,” one post read. Supporters countered: “Bud’s being coerced. Protect him #TeamBud.” The scandal has drawn international scrutiny, with Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum condemning “foreign interference” in sports.

Investigation Escalates

The Nevada Athletic Commission has accelerated its probe, summoning Al-Sheikh for questioning and freezing $50 million in contract funds pending review. The WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF have threatened to vacate Crawford’s titles if his admission is substantiated, potentially reinstating Alvarez. Legal experts predict lawsuits from Canelo and Pacquiao, with damages exceeding $100 million.

Crawford faces a potential lifetime ban if found guilty of contract fraud or doping collusion. “I regret it all,” he said. “But the truth had to come out.” His full confession is expected at the hearing, where he may name names.

A Legacy in Ruins

Terence Crawford’s admission that “he paid me and asked me to use….” has exposed the rotten core of the $500 million Canelo vs. Crawford contract, turning a landmark fight into boxing’s darkest chapter. As the Nevada Athletic Commission digs deeper, and Canelo demands justice, Crawford’s legacy as a three-division undisputed king hangs by a thread. With Pacquiao’s “man in disguise” theory seemingly validated, the sport faces a reckoning. Who is “he,” and what did Crawford “use”? The answers could shatter boxing forever. Follow the saga on X for live updates as the shocking truth unfolds.