Eddie Hearn reacts to Terence Crawford retirement

The undefeated pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford has decided to retire at 38. On December 16, he confirmed that he had nothing left to prove in the sport, having maintained an impeccable 42-0 record throughout his 17-year career. 

“Bud” became the only fighter in the four-belt era to win an undisputed title in three weight classes after his historic victory over Canelo Alvarez on September 13, 2025. Within three months of the bout, he announced that he would take the biggest break of his boxing career. However, not everyone, including Eddie Hearn, is taking it at face value.

Eddie Hearn’s honest reaction to Terence Crawford retirement

Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn isn’t taking Crawford’s retirement announcement as gospel. The promotional mastermind suggested there might be more to this story that has been overlooked. 

“Yeah, you never know. I mean, you never know the background to these things, you know. Is it part of a wider negotiation?” Hearn said in an interview with Fight Hub TV. “That’s just me being knowing the game.”

The 46-year-old pointed out the challenging physical realities facing a fighter approaching 40. Crawford turns 39 next year, and every training camp will become grueling with injuries stacking up and sluggish recovery.

But surprisingly, Hearn allegedly sounded suspicious about Crawford’s move. He shared his gut feelings, noting that maybe “Bud” has a contract he wants out of. He added, “Or it will give him greater leverage to negotiate a deal. That’s just me being devious, which is part of my job.”

Hearn knows the game in and out of the ring, and he’s seen these chess moves before. These past experiences are giving him a hard time believing in Crawford’s retirement statement. 

Hearn admits Terence Crawford has nothing left to prove

Still, Hearn acknowledged the most likely scenario. Terence Crawford’s body might be telling him it’s time. His fight IQ remains elite-class, but at nearly 40, even the greats start looking at the clock.

“More likely he’s thought this is a good time to bow out or got a few niggles and I don’t think I should fight him,” Hearn shared his thoughts with respect because fighting rising contenders at this stage of his career doesn’t make sense.

“He’s not going to want to go and fight, I don’t know, Jaron Ennis,” Hearn said. “Like he’s going to look at that and go why I’m gonna fight a 28-year old coming through getting I’m giving you my legacy. Do you know what I mean?”

“It wasn’t like his performance against Canelo showed signs of aging or anything like that. But he’s also made a lot of money,” Hearn noted. The promoter praised Crawford’s choice of the best time to “bow out on top.”

The Nebraska native joins the rare club of fighters who walked away undefeated at the peak. And folks’ different opinions don’t change the fact that he is now one of boxing’s all-time greats.