Terence “Bud” Crawford announces retirement

To the surprise of many, Terence Crawford, the best P4P in boxing right now, has announced his retirement. He has been simply outstanding in all stages of his career and leaves the game undefeated as a 5-time world champion and the first (male) undisputed champion in 3 weight classes.

Omaha, Nebraska’s Crawford walks with a perfect 42-0 record, with 31 wins by KO. Signed with Top Rank Boxing, he was always highly respected and considered very good. But he flew under the ‘superstar’ radar at times. Shy and quiet by nature, he wasn’t a braggadocio quote machine to attract attention. He talked with his gloves and went about beating everyone put in front of him after turning pro in 2008.

He sauntered into Glasgow, Scotland, and upset hometown hero Ricky Burns to win the WBO lightweight title in his 23rd fight in March 2014 to capture his 1st world title.

Crawford won his first undisputed title at light welterweight by KO against Julius Indongo in August 2017. He stood on the undisputed podium at welterweight in a legendary victory over Errol Spence Jr. in the summer of 2023.

However, in a performance for the ages this past September, Crawford moved up 2 weight classes, to 168 pounds, to defeat Canelo Álvarez in a masterful outing.

Crawford was now the undisputed champion at super middleweight. He is also the first male boxer to claim the undisputed championship in 3 weight classes.

He banked a substantial amount of money from the Alvarez win. But he is leaving boxing with a lot of money left on the table.

A rematch with Canelo, a move down to 160 pounds for an undisputed title, or any number of other huge paying options are still out there.

Boxers seldom stay retired, but Crawford isn’t most boxers. He has always walked to the beat of his own drum. He is loyal to his team and has the same group around him that he turned pro with 17 years ago. You get the feeling that once Bud decides on something, he sticks to it.

In his retirement speech, he seemed pretty set in his decision, but time will tell. Whatever he decides to do, he is a sure bet, first-year Hall of Fame fighter, and leaves the game on top as one of, if not the, very best of his time.

Crawford, who has become more comfortable with the media now, seemed happy with his accomplishments but content to call it a day in his retirement announcement.

"Every fighter knows this moment will come; we just never know when," Crawford said. "I’ve spent my whole life chasing something. Not belts. Not money. Not headlines. But that feeling. The one you get when the world doubts you, but you keep showing up, and you keep proving everyone wrong," he said. 

"This sport gave me everything. I fought for my family. I fought for my city. I fought for the kid I used to be, the one who had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves. And I did it all my way."

While he didn’t give specifics, he sounded like he had other plans moving forward.

"I gave this sport every breath I had. Every scar. Every triumph. Every ounce of my heart. And I’ve made peace with what’s next. This isn’t goodbye. It’s just the end of one fight and the beginning of another."

The beginning of another fight? I’d bet on Bud.