Terrence Crawford ended his boxing career as one of the rare fighters to retire undefeated. He made this decision official a few weeks after his last bout in September at Allegiant Stadium. At 38 years old, his legacy sparks debate, as other boxing legends faced a broader range of notable opponents, though perhaps with less dominance. While Crawford was stripped of his undisputed super middleweight title, he remains the first three-time undisputed champion in the modern four-belt era.
Known as “Bud,” Crawford recently shared his reasons for retiring when asked if losing his belt influenced his choice. He dismissed that notion, emphasizing his age and long career that began at age seven, saying he has nothing left to prove or accomplish. Despite his achievements, he’s cynical about receiving credit for his dominance, especially in light of criticisms like Oscar De La Hoya’s remark that Crawford only defeated two great fighters. Crawford explained that being far superior to opponents often led to their diminished reputations rather than recognition for him.
Before retiring, Crawford highlighted his accomplishments, including winning Bloody Elbow’s Boxer of the Year award in 2025 following his impressive victory over Canelo Alvarez. Even after being stripped of his WBC title in December, he rebutted by releasing a product symbolizing that belts are mere trophies and do not define his legacy. He pointed out that fighters make the belt, not the other way around, and his history and record are set in stone.
While Crawford may not have faced every top competitor of his time, he achieved a unique feat by remaining undefeated and dominating his division on his terms.
Fan Take: Terrence Crawford’s retirement as an undefeated champion marks the end of an era defined by technical brilliance and unwavering self-belief. For fight fans, his legacy challenges the sport to rethink what greatness truly means beyond just the names on one’s record, and it sets a high standard for future champions to aspire to.
