Terence Crawford’s post-retirement chapter is already taking an unexpected turn.
According to WBLS, just days after announcing his departure from boxing, the undefeated champion is named in a civil lawsuit filed by a New York jeweler seeking at least $1.5 million in damages arising from an alleged promotional deal gone wrong.
The lawsuit was filed on Thursday, December 18, in the Manhattan Civil Court by Mazza New York, a luxury retailer specializing in high-end watches and custom jewelry.
Court filings allege the dispute dates back to February 2024, when Terence Crawford visited the store and expressed interest in a Patek Philippe Aquanaut valued at approximately $139,000.
According to the complaint, Crawford proposed a partial cash payment of $35,000, with the remaining balance to be satisfied through promotional exposure.
Mazza alleges the agreement centered on placing the jeweler’s logo on Crawford’s fight trunks during upcoming bouts, allowing the brand to benefit from visibility during high-profile events.
Mazza claims it delivered the watch and prepared branding materials in anticipation of Crawford’s fights. The jeweler says the first attempt at executing the agreement occurred during Crawford’s August 2024 bout against Israil Madrimov. However, the lawsuit alleges the logo detached early in the fight, eliminating most of the expected exposure.
The filing states that Crawford’s representatives acknowledged the issue thereafter and assured Mazza that the branding would be displayed appropriately during his next fight.
That bout came in September, when Crawford faced Canelo Álvarez in a widely viewed matchup. According to the jeweler, despite ongoing coordination and the delivery of revised materials, its logo did not appear on Crawford’s trunks at any point during the fight.
The lawsuit includes claims of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and conversion. Mazza seeks repayment of the watch, now valued at more than $155,000, and compensation for the alleged promotional losses.
The legal dispute surfaced shortly after Crawford officially announced his retirement from boxing at age 38. Earlier this week, the Omaha native shared a five-minute video and message on social media confirming he was stepping away from the sport.
“Walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove,” Crawford wrote, reflecting on a career that ended with a flawless 42-0 record.
Crawford’s final professional appearance came in September, when he earned a unanimous decision victory over Álvarez. He exits the sport as a three-time undisputed champion and a five-division world titleholder, accomplishments unmatched in boxing history.
A representative for Crawford has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, and it is not yet known whether he plans to challenge the claims or pursue a resolution.