Terence Crawford: Five-weight boxing world champion retires from sport aged 38 - 'Walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove'
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Published 17/12/2025 at 10:39 GMT
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Terence Crawford beat Canelo Alvarez to grasp the undisputed super middleweight championship in Las Vegas in September. The American moved up two weight classes to take on boxing great Alvarez, inflicting just a third defeat on the Mexican to grab the WBA (Super), WBC, IBF and WBO titles at Allegiant Stadium.Crawford was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in boxing before hanging up his gloves.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Terence Crawford, one of boxing's most accomplished and unbeaten champions, announced his retirement on Tuesday, bringing an end to a historic career fought entirely "on his own terms".
Crawford leaves the sport at his peak after defeating Canelo Alvarez in September to claim the undisputed super middleweight title, a victory that cemented his place in boxing history.
The win made him the first fighter of the modern era to hold undisputed championships in three weight divisions.
The 38-year-old retires with a flawless 42-0 record, including 31 knockouts, and 18 world titles across five divisions since turning professional in 2008 and a first victory over Brian Cummings.
At the time of his departure, the Omaha native sat atop boxing's pound-for-pound rankings.
"Walking away as a great with nothing left to prove," Crawford wrote on X, later adding in a YouTube video message revealing that his decision was about choosing the moment, not losing the hunger.
"I'm stepping away from competition, not because I'm done fighting but because I've won a different kind of battle. The one where you walk away on your own terms.
"I spent my whole life chasing something. Not belts, not money, not headlines, but that feeling, the one you get when the world doubts you but you keep showing up and 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 that had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves, and I did it all my way.
"I gave this sport every breath I have, every spar, every triumph, every ounce of my heart. I've made peace with what's next. Now, it's time. Thank you.
"This isn't goodbye, this is the end of one fight and the beginning of another."
Britons Amir Khan and Kell Brook put themselves on the line against Crawford in WBO welterweight title showdowns, but they were among the 31 knockouts in his 42 fights.
His victory in the autumn over Canelo added to titles at lightweight, light-welterweight, welterweight and light-middleweight.
Staking a strong claim to be the fighter of his generation, Crawford was awarded the contest by the three judges: 116-112 and 115-113 (twice).
Long-time welterweight champion Crawford, after one title-winning fight at light middleweight, came up another stone in weight to face the Mexican.
Now, having become the first fighter in history to hold the lightweight world title and move up to grab the super-middleweight crown, Crawford has called time on his glittering career in the ring.
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