Terence Crawford ascended to boxing’s pinnacle in September by overcoming Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. It appears this triumph marks the conclusion of his professional career at the age of 38.
The fighter, who held undisputed titles across three weight divisions, seemingly declared his departure from professional boxing on Tuesday through his various social media platforms.
In a YouTube video, Crawford expressed:
“Every combatant acknowledges the inevitability of this juncture. Its precise timing, however, remains unforeseen. My entire existence has been dedicated to pursuing an elusive goal. Not championships, not financial gain, nor public acclaim. Rather, it was that distinct sensation, born when the world casts doubt upon you, yet you persistently emerge and consistently disprove all detractors. This discipline bestowed everything upon me. I contended for my kin, I contended for my birthplace. I contended for the youngster I once was, the one possessing nothing but an ambition and a pair of gloves. And I accomplished it entirely on my own terms. I devoted every last ounce of my being to this sport. …
“I am withdrawing from competitive engagement. Not due to a cessation of my fighting spirit, but because I have triumphed in a distinct conflict. The one where you conclude on your own conditions. This is not a farewell; instead, it signifies the conclusion of one battle and the commencement of another.”
Should this truly mark the conclusion of Crawford’s professional boxing journey, he would step away with an unblemished 42-0 record (31 knockouts) and a compelling case for being considered the preeminent pugilist of his era. He claimed championship belts spanning from the lightweight to the super middleweight divisions, achieving the distinction of being only the second male boxer ever to attain undisputed status in three separate weight categories (light welterweight, welterweight, super middleweight), and the first to do so within the four-belt championship period of the sport.
Three months prior, “Bud” secured his ultimate collection of championships by confronting Alvarez in what was arguably the most significant contest of his professional life. Across 12 rounds, he decisively outperformed the highly favored Alvarez, securing a unanimous decision victory against the sport’s most renowned figure.
The triumph propelled Crawford to the pinnacle of Uncrowned’s elite fighter rankings, and a second encounter with Alvarez was widely anticipated. Subsequent to that bout, Crawford was divested of his WBC championship following an unusual disagreement concerning sanctioning fees, prompting strong grievances from the champion.
These developments formed the backdrop to Crawford’s declaration regarding his cessation of active competition.
Just a handful of years past, Crawford truly cemented his position among boxing’s top echelon. He commanded considerable esteem prior to his showdown with Errol Spence Jr. and consistently featured on prestigious pound-for-pound rosters, yet persistent inquiries regarding the caliber of his adversaries frequently overshadowed his achievements — a perception ironically exacerbated by the overwhelming manner in which he dispatched several ostensibly formidable contenders.
Any such criticisms were definitively quelled in July 2023 when Crawford ultimately confronted Spence, the co-eminent pound-for-pound talent in the welterweight category, and utterly overwhelmed him. Crawford held a nine-point advantage on all judges’ scorecards at the moment the official halted the contest in the ninth round.
Ultimately, Crawford participated in only two additional contests subsequent to his retirement pronouncement: A unanimous decision triumph against Israil Madrimov, securing his entry among super welterweight champions, and his victory against Alvarez.
