Terence Crawford, the five-division champion, announced his retirement from boxing recently. This news comes just three months after he achieved an incredible milestone: becoming the only boxer in the four-belt era to hold undisputed champion titles in three weight classes. He earned this distinction when he defeated Canelo Alvarez for the super middleweight championship in September.
Crawford shared his announcement on social media, stating he is “walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove.” He emphasized that he wasn’t done fighting but was choosing to step back on his own terms. “This isn’t goodbye,” he said, “this is the end of one battle and the start of another.”
At 38 years old, Crawford retires with an impressive record of 42 wins and no losses, with 31 of those wins by knockout. Before becoming undisputed at super middleweight, he also dominated the welterweight division, knocking out Errol Spence Jr. in July 2023, and claimed the junior welterweight title by defeating Julius Indongo in August 2017.
His career has been nothing short of legendary. Crawford has held 18 major world titles across five weight classes: lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight, junior middleweight, and super middleweight. Notably, he topped ESPN’s Top 100 fighters of 2025 and retired as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
Crawford reflected on his career, saying, “I spent my whole life chasing something—not belts, not money, but that feeling of proving people wrong.” His journey began in Omaha, Nebraska, after he missed making the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. His professional debut in 2008 flew under the radar until he made a name for himself in 2013 by stepping in on short notice and defeating Breidis Prescott in a televised match.
Despite facing challenges in securing fights with bigger names, Crawford’s split from Top Rank Promotions in 2021 turned out to be a smart move. He signed to fight Spence, solidifying his status as one of boxing’s best with a dominant victory. He even sought to challenge Alvarez, who fought at a heavier weight class, and managed to win that match as well.
While fans speculated about his future fights—potentially at 160 pounds or against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul—Crawford chose retirement. With a legacy built on hard work and determination, he leaves an indelible mark on the sport.
In a world where many athletes chase fleeting fame, Crawford’s approach has resonated with fans. His story reflects a universal theme of resilience that inspires not just boxing fans but anyone facing doubts in their lives. As discussions about his retirement trend on social media, many fans express their respect for his decision to leave the sport at the pinnacle of his career.
For more details on Crawford’s extraordinary record and accomplishments, you can visit ESPN’s coverage of his career.
