Terence Crawford solidified his spot as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world after defeating Canelo Alvarez earlier this year via unanimous decision in Las Vegas, Nevada, to become the new undisputed Super Middleweight champion (see highlights here).
And according to “Bud,” that was his last fight ever.
Indeed, Crawford announced his shocking retirement from the sport of boxing earlier today (Tues., Dec. 16, 2025) with an emotional farewell video, which documented his grueling rise to the top
of the boxing world. Along the way, Crawford paid tribute to all of the people who paved the way for his journey to greatness, from early trainers, sparring partners and promoters, family as well as his opponents.
“Every fighter knows this moment will come. You just never know when. 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,” he said.
“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 all my way. I gave this sport every breathe I had.
“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. This isn’t goodbye, it’s just the end of one fight and the beginning of another.”
Crawford turned pro in March 2008, winning his debut fight via first-round knockout. From there, “Bud” continued on to deliver one highlight reel knockout after another before getting his first-ever world title fight in June 2013, winning the NABO Lightweight belt by defeating Alejandro Sanabria via sixth-round TKO.
Crawford went on to make history by becoming first male boxer to be undisputed champion across three separate divisions including Light Welterweight (WBO, WBC, IBF, WBA) and Welterweight (WBO, WBC, IBF, WBA). Of course, he most recently became the Super Middleweight undisputed champion (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO) by defeating Canelo Alvarez via unanimous decision this past summer in “Sin City.”
More recently, “Bud” made headlines after he was stripped of the WBC Super Middleweight title he won by defeating Alvarez for failing to pay his mandated fees to the sanctioning body. Afterward, he went scorched earth on WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman, for calling him out for his failure to pay and apologize. According to Crawford, he felt no need to pay his fees, blasting Sulaiman for spending the money collected from fees for his own personal leisure.
Crawford leaves the sport with a mint 42-0 record with 31 knockouts and a championship run that will likely not be replicated anytime soon.
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