The only man to ever hold the undisputed, four belt world championships at three different weight classes, Terence Crawford announced his retirement in a video message Tuesday night.
Unbeaten superstar Terrence Crawford, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing, announced his retirement Tuesday night, potentially bringing one of the sport’s most remarkable careers to a close.
The 38-year-old released a lengthy, pre-recorded video through The Ring magazine, a clear indication that the decision had been carefully considered rather than made on impulse. In the emotional message, Crawford reflected on the journey that carried him from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of the sport.
“Every fighter knows this moment will come. We just never know when,” Crawford said. “I spent my whole life chasing something. Not belts. Not money. Not headlines. But the feeling you get when the world doubts you and you keep showing up. You keep proving everyone wrong. This sport gave me everything. 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. And I did it my way.”
Watch the full five minute video Crawford released in his own words here:
Crawford leaves the sport with a pristine professional record of 42-0 with 31 knockouts. His most recent appearance came last September, when he scored the biggest victory of his career by defeating fellow future Hall of Famer Canelo Alvarez via 12-round decision. The win earned Crawford the undisputed super middleweight championship and capped a historic decade-long run that few fighters in boxing history can match.
Over the course of his career, Crawford became the only boxer ever to hold undisputed championships in three different weight divisions, doing so first at junior welterweight, then welterweight, and finally at 168 pounds. The victory over Alvarez was particularly stunning, as Crawford moved up two full weight divisions to defeat the Mexican superstar in front of more than 65,000 fans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Of course, retirement announcements in boxing are often met with skepticism. History has shown that many fighters struggle to walk away for good. Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has announced his retirement multiple times, only to reverse course each time. Legends such as Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard famously retired, returned, and thrilled fans with additional iconic victories.
Crawford has been winding down in his activity, fighting only one time in each of the last five calendar years. Still, it was believed that he might move back down one weight class and go for an attempt at undisputed at middleweight. Alas, that doesn't appear to be a motivation, if it ever was.
Financially, Crawford appears well-positioned to remain retired. His devastating ninth-round stoppage of Errol Spence Jr. in July 2023 for the undisputed welterweight title reportedly earned him a massive payday. That was followed by an even larger windfall for the Alvarez fight, believed to have exceeded $30 million. By any standard, Crawford has secured generational wealth.
Still, boxing history cautions against assuming this farewell is final.
If this truly is the end, Crawford exits the sport in a way rarely seen—unbeaten, untied, and firmly on top of the boxing world.
That is, of course, if he stays retired.