Terence Crawford announces surprise retirement from boxing
Terence Crawford shook the boxing world Tuesday by announcing his retirement, an unexpected decision that ends one of the most dominant careers of the modern era.
At 38, the Omaha native has decided to hang up his gloves at the top, undefeated and with a legacy that places him among the all-time greats.
Crawford says goodbye with a perfect record of 42 victories, including 31 by knockout, after more than 17 years as a professional. With his unexpected retirement, Crawford leaves behind four titles in the 168-pound weight class.
“I’m retiring from competition, not because I stopped fighting, but because I won a different type of battle,” Crawford said in a YouTube video. “The battle where you retire on your own terms.”
Among the most defining moments of his career were his victory over Errol Spence Jr., which made him the undisputed welterweight champion, and the triumph that ultimately defined his legacy: his super middleweight victory over Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez.
In September, Crawford moved up the ranks to face the Mexican and beat him by unanimous decision in Las Vegas. This fight against Álvarez not only confirmed his sporting greatness, but also led to him winning the undisputed super welterweight championship, a feat few considered possible.
“Every boxer knows that time will come, but we never know when,” Crawford said.
After this historic fight, speculation began about new challenges and a possible rematch, but Crawford chose a different path. In his farewell message, he clarified that his decision was not due to a lack of physical or competitive ability, but rather the belief that he had pushed his limits and had nothing left to prove in the ring.
“I spent my whole life chasing something,” Crawford said. “No belts, no money, no headlines. But that feeling, the feeling you get when the world doubts you, but you go on and prove everyone wrong.”
Since his debut in 2008, he has built a career marked by versatility, tactical intelligence and an uncommon ability to adapt to any opponent and circumstance in the ring. Left-handed or right-handed depending on the fight, his technical mastery was a constant throughout his career.
“I fought for my family. I fought for my city. I fought for the child I was, the one who had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves. And I did it my way. I gave to this sport until my last breath,” he said.
Over the years, Crawford has won world titles in multiple divisions and established himself as one of contemporary boxing’s pound-for-pound greats.
His name made history when he became the undisputed champion in three different categories during the four-belt era, a feat that set him apart even among elite champions. With each weight class change, he faced skepticism and responded with convincing performances.
“I’m leaving like a grown-up,” Crawford said.
This item first appeared in Spanish via Times in Spanish.
