Boxing bids farewell to one of its exceptional champions as Terence Crawford announces retirement at age 38 with an unblemished 42-0 professional record. The news arrived Tuesday via social media video, marking the end of an exceptional run that saw him conquer five weight divisions.
Crawford’s September showdown with Canelo Álvarez in Las Vegas will be remembered as the crowning achievement of his exceptional run. The unanimous decision victory secured the undisputed super middleweight championship and demonstrated Crawford’s ability to perform brilliantly against elite opposition.
In his retirement message, Crawford stressed the personal significance of leaving on his own terms. He reflected on a career motivated by the need to silence critics and prove his worth repeatedly, while fighting for his family, his Nebraska community, and the dreams of the ambitious boy he once was.
Crawford made his professional debut in 2008 and claimed his first world title in 2014 with a victory over Ricky Burns for the WBO lightweight championship. His southpaw stance and exceptional boxing skills allowed him to dominate five different weight divisions, establishing a legacy that places him among boxing’s all-time greats.
The final numbers tell a story of exceptional dominance: 42 victories without loss, 31 by knockout, 18 world titles across five weight classes, never knocked down, and holding three super middleweight championships (WBA, IBF, WBO). Crawford’s perfect record includes the remarkable fact that every victory came by stoppage or unanimous decision, with no judge ever scoring against him in any round of any fight throughout his entire professional career.