In a stunning announcement that marks the end of an era, undefeated boxing icon Terence Crawford has confirmed his retirement from the sport. The 38-year-old American made the revelation on Tuesday, just three months after securing the most significant victory of his illustrious career against Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez.
A Champion Bows Out on His Own Terms
Crawford communicated his decision directly to fans in a poignant video posted on social media. "I'm stepping away from competition, not because I'm done fighting, but because I've won a different type of battle," Crawford stated. "The one where you walk away on your own terms." He reflected on a career fuelled by defiance and personal fulfilment, saying he fought for the feeling of "proving everyone wrong."
The fighter from Nebraska retires with a pristine professional record of 42 wins and 0 losses, with 31 of those victories coming by way of knockout. Remarkably, no judge ever officially scored a round in favour of his opponent throughout his entire career, with all wins coming via stoppage or unanimous decision.
A Legacy Forged Across Three Decades
Crawford's professional journey, which began in 2008, spanned three decades and saw him conquer five different weight classes. His ascent to global stardom started in earnest when he captured his first world title, the WBO lightweight crown, by defeating Scotland's Ricky Burns in 2014.
His career reached its zenith on a September night in Las Vegas, where he delivered a masterclass to dethrone Canelo Álvarez by unanimous decision. That victory earned him the undisputed super middleweight championship, a status he held briefly before the WBC stripped him of their belt earlier this month due to an unresolved dispute over sanctioning fees.
Despite this, Crawford retires as the reigning WBA, IBF, and WBO super middleweight champion. His final tally stands at an astonishing 18 world titles across five divisions, a testament to his skill and adaptability. He also retires having never been officially knocked down in a professional fight.
The Final Bell Rings on a Historic Career
Crawford's retirement closes the book on one of modern boxing's most technically brilliant and dominant careers. In his farewell message, he paid tribute to the roots of his success. "I fought for my family. I fought for my city. I fought for the kid I used to be, the one who had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves," he said. "And I did it all my way. I gave this sport every breath I had."
His departure leaves a significant void at the pinnacle of the sport, particularly in the super middleweight division. The boxing world now looks to a future without one of its pound-for-pound greats, a fighter who achieved the ultimate goal of walking away undefeated and entirely on his own terms.
