Terence Crawford’s sudden retirement in December is still reverberating throughout the sport of boxing.

Retiring with a perfect 42-0 (31 KOs), and soundly defeating Canelo Alvarez in his last bout, “Bud” accomplished what most athletes only dream about: leaving the sport while they’re still at the top of their game.

During the Ring Magazine ceremony, where he was named Fighter of the Year, Crawford finally received his long-overdue flowers in history. With James Brown’s classic song “Boss” playing in the background, Crawford reflected on his remarkable journey that made him one of boxing’s greatest fighters.

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“I guess I did pay the cost to be the boss,” Crawford told Manouk Akopyan of Ring Magazine. “What a way to end your career. Anything is possible if you believe in yourself.”

Crawford’s retirement left the boxing world in shock

To say that Crawford’s retirement stunned the boxing world would be an understatement. Many boxing pundits and fans alike were anticipating a possible rematch between Crawford and Alvarez. Instead of a rematch, the six-division champion decided to hang up his gloves in December 2025.

As questions persist around his decision, Crawford explained the rationale behind his move to retire.

“A lot of people keep asking me why I retired,” said Crawford. “I’ve been doing this sport since I was seven years old. I retired at 38. Ask yourself: if you’ve been taking your body through hell for 30 years, would you retire? That’s why I retired,”

Crawford also wanted to leave the sport not only as an all-time great fighter, but with his health intact.

“There is nothing else left for me to accomplish in the sport of boxing,” he said. “I gave my all to boxing, but I’m not going to give my health to boxing.”

Crawford went on to say that there’s no one on the current boxing landscape for him to fight. While he will miss some large paydays and the competition in the ring, he’s content with his place among the pantheon of boxing greats.

“If I were to come back, who would I fight? I have nobody to fight and nothing to accomplish,” said Crawford. “That would mean that I am just coming back for the sport and money. I never fought for money. I fought for legacy.”

Now that his retirement is official, Crawford has much to do outside of the ring. He’s looking forward to spending time with his family, traveling the world, and enjoying his downtime.

“I’m taking the time to travel the world and spend time with my family,” said Crawford. “I’m not worried about anything right now. I said I was going to take a year off, just to do that, and then think about what to do next. But for now, I’m just relaxing.”

Undoubtedly, Crawford’s legacy is etched in stone. If he never makes a comeback in the ring, his contributions to the “sweet science” will never be forgotten.

Terence Crawford doesn’t sound fully convinced of his retirement

While no one was completely surprised when Terence Crawford announced his retirement in mid-December, there was a lingering feeling that he was leaving the sport while still in his prime. At 38 years old, he had just soundly beaten Canelo Alvarez and could have picked any other opponent next, and he would likely be favored.

But “Bud” decided to go out on top, “walking away as a great with nothing left to prove”. He truly didn’t have to prove anything else to anyone, but his fans wanted to continue seeing him in action. Now, Crawford is focusing on his family life and paving the way for the next generation of boxers.

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Terence Crawford named Ring Magazine’s Male Fighter of the Year for 2025

On Friday night, he was able to turn back the clock – not too far – by showing up at Ring Magazine’s “The Ring Awards”, where he was named the Male Fighter of the Year. But before he got on the stage, it was an interview on the red carpet that sparked some intrigue.

Crawford was asked if it felt different attending a boxing event as a retired fighter. His answer showed that he still has the competitive nature in his bones.

A little bit. I done put it behind me, but I still got that fight in me. But at the same time, it feels great to be one of the pioneers that paved the way for the younger fighters that’s coming behind me.

Crawford could fight at an elite level right now and probably for the next few years if he wanted to. Despite the fire still burning within him, he does seem at peace with his retirement decision. But he surely knows he could go toe-to-toe with anyone at the awards ceremony if he pleased.

Last month, Terence Crawford announced his retirement from boxing, but when recalling which opponent hit him the hardest during the entirety of his professional career, ‘Bud’ provided an unexpected response.

Crawford hung up the gloves two months on from a career-defining victory over Canelo Alvarez, as the Omaha-born phenomenon became the first fighter to become a three-weight undisputed champion in the four-belt era and just the second of all time.

That super-middleweight triumph is made all the more impressive by the fact that Crawford first claimed world honours as a lightweight, making the win sit as one of the most impressive triumphs since the turn of the millennium.

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However, despite moving up multiple weight-classes to face Canelo, Crawford explained that he did not feel overwhelmed by the punch power of the super-middleweight superstar. Instead, in the post-fight interview, Crawford named Lithuanian welterweight Egidijus Kavaliauskas as a harder puncher.

“I’ve been hit harder in a real fight. ‘Mean Machine’ [Kavaliauskas] hit harder than Canelo, to me, to be honest.”

Kavaliauskas collided with Crawford back in 2019 in his maiden challenge for a world title, where he was stopped by the American after nine rounds of action. He does, however, have a claim as the only man to drop the American star. Though Crawford touching the canvas in round three was ruled a slip, most feel that the referee should have awarded a knockdown.

That shortcoming was the first of Kavaliauskas’s career, but the 37-year-old has been trumped by both Vergil Ortiz Jr and Souleymane Cissokho since.

The Kaunas contender has since bounced back from defeat to Cissokho, after a controversial win against Samuel Molina on home soil saw him get his hands on the EBU European welterweight crown and rise to #7 in the WBC 147lb ratings.

Terence Crawford says no fighter could beat his ‘boxing hero’ in his prime

Terence Crawford recently ended his illustrious professional career having never tasted defeat.

Crawford hung up the gloves at the end of 2025 after 17 years in the sport, with his long list of accolades including becoming a five-division world champion and undisputed in three different weight classes.

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His biggest victory arguably came in his final fight, when he moved up to 168lbs and beat Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision to claim all four world titles at super-middleweight.

Crawford is part of an elite group of modern fighters who retired undefeated, alongside the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward, but ‘Bud’ feels the same could have been the case for his boxing hero had he retired towards the end of his prime.

Speaking to Piers Morgan, Crawford revealed Roy Jones Jr to be the legendary fighter in question.

“My boxing hero? Roy Jones Jr. He was unbeatable in his prime.”

Crawford isn’t alone in his admiration for Jones, with the Florida-native at the top of many lists when it comes to favourite fighters of all time.

The prime years that Crawford talks about are widely considered to be mid-to-late 1990s and early 2000s, where Jones spent a large period as the pound-for-pound number one in the sport.

During that time he beat fighters such as James Toney and Mike McCallum, giving him a record of 49-1 at one stage, with that only loss a controversial disqualification defeat to Montell Griffin, which Jones quickly avenged with a first round knockout win in their immediate rematch.

Terence Crawford held retirement talk with former rival before announcing decision

Terence Crawford spoke with former foe Israil Madrimov, informing him of his decision to retire before announcing it to the world.

Crawford announced that his career in the sport was over, after dethroning Canelo Alvarez as undisputed super-middleweight champion in September with a stunning display.

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The American retired while at the peak of his powers, and many questioned if it was simply a ploy to attract a bigger fight offer.

He had been linked with a rematch with the Mexican, and had even teased a move down to 160lbs for a world title pursuit in March.

But he ultimately decided enough was enough and called time, insisting that no fights would increase his legacy at this stage.

Former rival Madrimov, who Crawford defeated to become 154lbs world champion in 2024, spoke to the American first regarding his decision.

He revealed to The Ring: “Before he announced his retirement, we met, and he told me he’s done, he’s had enough of the sport, that he had achieved everything possible and that he’s not chasing money.

“He don’t care about all that stuff. He has everything he needs. I’m super happy for him.

“When he told me this, I was thinking maybe he was just saying that and maybe he was gonna get that huge offer, and he’ll take it.

“But he said no, that he doesn’t care.”

On whether he believes Crawford will stick to his decision, Madrimov added: “I believe that Terence is a man of his word.

“He said all he wants is his legacy and to leave the sport as one of the GOATs, one of the best, and without a blemish on his record.

“I respect and appreciate that and wish him only the best of health and wealth for him and his big family.”

Should Crawford have retired?

Crawford has done what many have done by achieving it all in the boxing ring, and hanging up his gloves while at the height of his career.

‘Bud’ went out after making history against Alvarez, without the glum realisation he is past his best, or without any unnecessary defeats on his record.

However, there is significant belief in the boxing world that Crawford could have gone on to make further history, and capture a world title in a sixth weight class.

The American superstar would have been an overwhelming favourite in any fight with Erislandy Lara, and would have fancied his chances of beating Janibek Alimkhanuly.

Heavyweight star Anthony Joshua is of the opinion that Crawford should have continued his breathtaking streak going.

He said: “I feel like Terence Crawford has got so, so much more to give.

“But it’s not just physical, it’s what’s going on in his mind.

“He’s been in the game for a long time, so maybe he’s like ‘forget it, I’m done mentally’, even though physically he’s good. I would love to see him continue fighting.

“I think he’s got a lot left, but we have to live and let others live by their own rules.”

Terence Crawford Reveals Reason Behind Retirement: “It Wasn’t Because Of That”

Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford has revealed exactly why he decided to announce his retirement from boxing.

The former pound-for-pound great revealed back in December that he would be calling time on his glittering professional career having won world titles in five weight divisions.

‘Bud’ Crawford’s 42nd and final ring appearance came on September 13 when he defeated Mexican icon Canelo Alvarez to capture the undisputed super-middleweight championship at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Crawford became the first male fighter of the ‘four belt era’ to win an undisputed world championship in three separate weight classes, having already accomplished this feat at super-lightweight and welterweight respectively.

Whilst it had been speculated that ‘Bud’ would be making a return to action in 2026, the 38-year-old from Nebraska opted to walk away from the sport with his unbeaten record, physical health and finances intact.

Speaking on an Adin Ross livestream recently, Crawford revealed that he decided to retire from the sport because he has ‘nothing left to prove’ – shutting down the question of whether it was to do with his recent drama or being stripped of the WBC belt for ‘not paying his fees.’

“No [it wasn’t to do with the WBC belt.] Not at all. That’d be stupid of me.

“I’m 38, 38 is old in boxing. I’ve been boxing since I was 7. I have nothing else to prove, I have nothing else to accomplish. You know, it’s like, what more can I do? They not gonna give me the credit anyway.”

Following his retirement, Crawford became one of the few great champions in boxing history to retire from the sport without suffering a single defeat, joining the likes of Joe Calzaghe, Rocky Marciano and Floyd Mayweather Jr.