‘Every fighter knows this moment will come’: Undefeated boxing world champion Terence Crawford retires
Five-time world champion Terence Crawford announced his retirement from boxing on Wednesday.
While retirements are usually taken with a grain of salt in the combat sports world, Crawford, 38, confirmed he is “stepping away from competition”.
“Every fighter knows this moment will come. We just never know when. I spent my whole life chasing something,” he said on a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.
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“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.
Terence Crawford reacts after defeating Canelo Alvarez. TKO Worldwide LLC via Getty Imag
“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.”
If Crawford has truly walked away and this move is not a negotiating tactic, he will finish his career with an extraordinary 42-0 record.
Crawford began his boxing career in 2008, with his most recent win against Canelo Alvarez in September 2025 via unanimous decision.
Thirty one of his victories came by knockout, with only 11 coming down to a decision.
Over his career, Crawford held world titles in five different divisions, even becoming an undisputed champion in three different weight classes.
