Terence Crawford Announces Retirement: Undefeated Legend Walks Away on Top After Historic Canelo Win
Undefeated boxing legend Terence Crawford has announced his retirement at 38, walking away with a perfect 42-0 record after his historic upset victory over Canelo Álvarez. The pound-for-pound great exits on his own terms.
Terence "Bud" Crawford retires undefeated after becoming a three-division undisputed champion with his win over Canelo Álvarez.
In a shocking yet poignant announcement, Terence "Bud" Crawford, widely regarded as the pound-for-pound king of boxing, has retired from the sport at age 38, ending one of the most dominant careers in modern history with a perfect 42-0 record.
The Omaha native broke the news on Tuesday via a heartfelt video on his YouTube channel and social media posts, stating: "Walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove." Crawford emphasized that his decision comes from a place of fulfillment, saying,
"I'm stepping away from competition, not because I'm done fighting, but because I've won a different type of battle the one where you walk away on your own terms."
Crawford's retirement comes just three months after his crowning achievement: a masterful unanimous decision victory over Saul "Canelo" Álvarez in September 2025 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The upset win made Crawford the undisputed super middleweight champion and the first male boxer in the four-belt era to become undisputed in three weight divisions (junior welterweight, welterweight, and super middleweight).
A five-division world champion with 31 knockouts, Crawford's resume includes dominant wins over Errol Spence Jr. (TKO for undisputed welterweight in 2023), Shawn Porter, Kell Brook, Amir Khan, and Israil Madrimov. He retires having never been knocked down and as the reigning WBA, IBF, and WBO super middleweight champion (the WBC belt was stripped earlier due to sanctioning fees).
"This sport gave me everything," Crawford reflected in his video. "I fought for my family, my city, and the kid I used to be with nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves."
The boxing world reacted with tributes pouring in, hailing Crawford as one of the all-time greats often ranked alongside legends like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Rumors of a Canelo rematch or even a crossover with Jake Paul now fade, as "Bud" chooses to exit undefeated and at his peak.
While boxing retirements sometimes prove temporary, Crawford's tone suggests peace with his legacy. The Crawford Era ends, but his impact on the sport and his hometown of Omaha will endure forever.
