Terence Crawford reveals the real reason he retired after being stripped of his undisputed status
Terence Crawford has walked away from boxing as one of the few fighters to retire undefeated.
Crawford made his decision official several weeks ago after competing for the final time at Allegiant Stadium in September.
The 38-year-old leaves behind a legacy that will be debated, with other legends boasting careers that saw them face more big names even if they didn’t have as much success.
Crawford may have been stripped of his undisputed super middleweight status, but one thing he will always have is that he was the first three-time undisputed champion in the four-belt era.
‘Bud’ recently spoke about why he made the decision to retire when asked whether it was because of his belts being taken away from him.
Terence Crawford highlights his legacy when explaining why he retired earlier this month
Terence Crawford won Bloody Elbow’s Boxer of the Year award despite only competing once in 2025.
He undoubtedly put on the most impressive performance of the year to beat Canelo Alvarez in September, which now serves as a spectacular way to end his career.
During a recent appearance on Adin Ross’ stream, ‘Bud’ was asked whether it was his undisputed status being taken away that caused him to say enough is enough.
“No, not at all, that’d be stupid of me,” Crawford responded. “I’m 38. 38 is old in boxing. I’ve been boxing since I was seven. I have nothing else to prove. I have nothing else to accomplish. It’s like, what more can I do? They’re not gonna give me the credit anyway so it really doesn’t even matter.”
Crawford’s retirement was mocked by Oscar De La Hoya, who claimed that the American has only ever beaten “two good fighters”.
It’s comments like these that the Omaha native referenced when speaking about why he’s done with boxing and why he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
“Because I’m just that nice,” he said. “Not to be cocky or anything it’s just when you’re so much better than the competition and you make them look how they’ve never looked before, everybody says, ‘Oh, they’re washed or this guy’s a bum’.”
Crawford went on to add that on top of not getting the praise he believes that he deserves, there are no fights left for him that would change this.
“Who else in today’s boxing that has a name would do anything to my legacy?
Terence Crawford reminded fans of his legacy shortly before his retirement
It may not have been the reason that he retired but Terence Crawford still fired back at the WBC after he was stripped of his title at the start of December.
His response was to release a new piece of merchandise, with his announcement and the design reminding everyone that his accomplishments can’t be taken away.
“Let’s be real: a belt is just a trophy,” Crawford wrote on X. “It don’t make me, it don’t define my legacy, and it damn sure don’t change what happened in that ring. History already happened. The record is set in stone. This shirt is a reminder: I am the belt. The fighters make the belt. I don’t need it on my shelf to prove who I am.”
Crawford may not have faced all of the top names of his era but he did something no one else has and he did it his way while maintaining a perfect record.
