Boxing bids farewell to one of its most brilliant practitioners as Terence Crawford announces retirement at age 38 with an impeccable 42-0 professional record. The announcement came Tuesday via an emotional social media video, three months after his September masterclass against Canelo Álvarez.
The Álvarez victory in Las Vegas served as the crowning achievement of Crawford’s career, as he delivered a dominant performance to win the undisputed super middleweight championship by unanimous decision. The bout showcased the full range of Crawford’s abilities and provided the perfect finale to his legendary career.
Crawford’s retirement statement revealed a fighter satisfied with his accomplishments. He spoke about leaving on his own terms as a personal victory, and reflected on a career motivated by the need to prove doubters wrong while honoring his family, his Nebraska community, and his childhood dreams.
After making his professional debut in 2008, Crawford quickly established himself as an elite talent. His first world championship came in 2014 with a victory over Ricky Burns for the WBO lightweight title, launching a historic run that saw him conquer five weight divisions and establish himself among boxing’s all-time greats.
Crawford’s final statistics are exceptional: 42 victories without defeat, 31 by knockout, 18 world titles in five weight classes, never being knocked down, and currently holding three super middleweight championships (WBA, IBF, WBO). His perfect record includes the distinction that every single victory came via stoppage or unanimous decision, with not one judge ever scoring in favor of any opponent he faced throughout his entire professional career.