Boxing Legend Crawford Announces Retirement After Becoming Three-Time Undisputed Champion

Boxing legend Terence “Bud” Crawford has officially announced his retirement from professional boxing, drawing the curtain on an extraordinary and unblemished career. He leaves the sport undefeated with an impressive 42-0 record, etching his name among the all-time greats in boxing history. The 38-year-old’s retirement announcement on December 17, 2025, marks the end of a journey that began in 2008 and culminated in some of the most iconic moments in recent boxing.

Crawford’s decision to retire comes shortly after a sensational victory in September 2025, when he defeated Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super-middleweight champion. This victory made him the first male boxer in the modern four-belt era to achieve undisputed status in three separate weight divisions - light welterweight, welterweight, and super middleweight. This remarkable feat was widely celebrated as one of the defining performances of the decade in the sport.

The Omaha, Nebraska native announced his retirement through a heartfelt video posted on social media, declaring he was “walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove.” Crawford explained that his decision to step away was not due to a lack of ability but because he had accomplished everything he set out to achieve in the sport that shaped his life.

Throughout his professional boxing career, Crawford held 18 major world championships across five weight classes: lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight, junior middleweight, and super middleweight, underscoring his extraordinary versatility and adaptability. His journey featured standout victories over top competitors, such as Errol Spence Jr., whose defeat helped Crawford unify the welterweight division, and his later conquest of Canelo, which solidified his place as one of boxing’s most complete fighters.

Crawford’s skill set was as innovative as it was effective. A highly intelligent switch-hitter with sharp defensive instincts, he adapted seamlessly to his opponents’ styles - a rare quality at the elite level. His unbeaten record in 42 fights, including 31 knockouts, speaks volumes about both his physical talent and mental discipline.

Commentators and analysts have quickly placed Crawford among boxing’s greatest. Many regard his performance against Canelo - moving up two weight classes to decisively beat a dominant champion - as one of the most impressive championship victories in modern boxing. That win also helped return Crawford to the No. 1 spot in the global pound-for-pound rankings late in 2025.

Fans and fellow fighters alike have reacted with admiration and respect following Crawford’s retirement announcement, celebrating his legacy as a pugilist who reached the highest heights of the sport without suffering a single defeat. Many praised his decision to leave the ring while still at his peak, avoiding the decline that shadows many careers in combat sports.

While debates may continue over where Crawford ranks among the greatest fighters of all time, with comparisons to legends of past eras, his resume speaks for itself: three undisputed titles in separate divisions, five-division world championships, 42 unbeaten fights, and a career defined by skill, heart, and resilience.

As he transitions beyond competitive boxing, Crawford has expressed gratitude for the sport, his supporters, and the journey that elevated him from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of his profession. Whether he pursues coaching, commentary, business ventures, or personal pursuits, his impact on boxing remains indelible.