Terence Crawford has officially stepped away from boxing.
Per USA Today, the undefeated champion announced his retirement on December 16. Crawford shared the news on social media alongside a five-minute YouTube video, writing, “Walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove.”
In his message, the Omaha native reflected on a journey that began long before sold-out arenas and championship belts. “From Omaha to the biggest stages in boxing, every step of this journey was earned through sacrifice, discipline, and faith,” Crawford wrote. “I gave this sport everything I had.”
The 38-year-old exits boxing with a perfect 42-0 record, including 31 knockouts. Over the course of his career, Crawford became a three-time undisputed champion and a five-division world titleholder, achievements no other fighter has matched.
“I faced the best, moved through weight classes, and made history on my own terms,” he wrote. “No shortcuts. No excuses.”
Crawford’s final bout came in September, when he earned a unanimous decision victory over Canelo Álvarez to capture the World Boxing Council super-middleweight title. At the time, the win further cemented his status as one of the most versatile and dominant fighters of his generation.
That celebration, however, was followed by controversy. Just two weeks ago, the WBC stripped Crawford of the super-middleweight belt for failing to pay the organization’s sanctioning fees.
In a statement, the WBC said it had repeatedly attempted to contact Crawford’s team without success. “Very unfortunately, the WBC did not receive an acknowledgment of receipt nor any response to any of those communications,” the organization said. “The WBC had no choice but to act.”
While the belt was removed from his résumé, his September victory over Álvarez remains intact, as does his undefeated record.
Long before Crawford made his retirement official, some voices in the boxing media had already suggested the moment was approaching. On the MRECK TV podcast Let the Sparkz Fly, co-host David “Flat” Sparks argued earlier this year that Crawford’s career-defining win over Álvarez was “bigger than boxing” and that the champion had little left to gain by continuing.
“When you're a superstar like that, and you go back to your hometown, you're a target,” Sparks said at the time, pointing to the increased scrutiny and pressure surrounding Crawford’s status.
Sparks also described Crawford as a fighter who represented more than wins and titles, calling him a figure of resilience and discipline whose legacy was already secure. His advice was simple: “Ride off into the sunset.”
Crawford’s retirement now makes that prediction a reality. “This isn’t goodbye to boxing,” Crawford wrote in his farewell message. “It’s a thank you.”
The gloves are off, but the legacy of Terence Crawford—undefeated, undisputed, and historic—remains firmly intact.