Terence Crawford announces retirement from boxing as undefeated five-division world champion
Terence Crawford has made the decision to hang up his boxing gloves.
Crawford’s next move had been hotly debated since he became undisputed super middleweight champion with a victory over Canelo Alvarez in September.
It was the last major victory of his career, having already achieved enormous success in the sport, with undisputed victories at welterweight and super-welterweight and further world title triumphs at lightweight and super-welterweight.
Many fans expected ‘Bud’ to move down to middleweight in a bid to become a six-division world champion, but that is no longer the case after the American made his shock announcement on Tuesday.
Leave like a grown-up with nothing else to prove. #CrawfordERA#1P4P#3xUndisputed#5Division Champion#4xLinear Champion#BWAAFighterOfTheYear#2xEspyAwardWinnerhttps://t.co/GwK3TYnIz6pic.twitter.com/4DElhAJXIg
– Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) December 16, 2025
Posting on his YouTube channel, Crawford revealed why he made the decision to retire, ending his remarkable career.
“Every fighter knows this moment will come. We never know when. I’ve spent my whole life chasing something. No belts, no money, no big titles, but that feeling, the one you get when the world doubts you but you keep showing up and proving everyone wrong.
“This sport gave me everything, 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 until the end. I gave this sport every breath, every spar, every triumph, every ounce of my heart. I made peace with what’s next. Now it’s time. Thank you.
I’m moving away from competition. Not because I’m done fighting, but because I’ve won a different kind of battle. The one where you leave on your own terms. It’s not goodbye, it’s just the end of one fight and the beginning of another.
The Omaha, Nebraska slugger also posted a message explaining the announcement in more detail.
“I have been fortunate to live a dream that began long before the lights, the fans or the world titles. From Omaha to the biggest stages in boxing, every step of this journey has been won through sacrifice, discipline and faith.
“I gave everything I had to this sport. I faced the best, I moved up through the weight classes and I made history on my own terms. 42-0. 3 times undisputed. 5 division world champion. No shortcuts. No excuses.
“This isn’t a goodbye to boxing…it’s a thank you. Thank you to my family, my team, my city and the fans who have been with me through every chapter. Thank you to the sport for shaping the man I am today.”
Crawford finishes his career with a 42-0 record and will go down as one of the greatest boxers in recent memory. For many, he will be considered one of the best of all time.
