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Terence Crawford announces immediate retirement from boxing

Originally posted on MMA Weekly | By Joshua Ryan | Last updated Dec 17, 2025 10:00 AM ET

Terence Crawford is following in the footsteps of very few before him, deciding to bow out of the sport at the top of his game. Despite many considering him to be the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, Crawford has announced his retirement from boxing with immediate effect in a post on social media.

The announcement comes as a surprise, as big plans were being chalked up for 'Bud' following his successful two-fight stint under the Riyadh Season banner. The Nebraska native secured some huge wins throughout his time spent in between the ropes, but arguably none bigger than his unanimous decision victory against Canelo Alvarez last time out.

Talks of another blockbuster affair were beginning to surface for Terence Crawford. Ahead of his fight against Anthony Yarde, which only added to the intrigue after his dominant display, David Benavidez was being sought out by Turki Alalshikh as a potential next opponent for Crawford.

While fans would have loved to see Crawford push for further success in the ring, that will no longer be a possibility. As of today, the 38-year-old has laid down his gloves and retired from the sport of boxing.

"Every fighter knows this moment will come; we just never know when," Crawford stated in his retirement video. "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."

"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."

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Terence Crawford didn't need to take the same loud, controversial approach that many fighters do in the modern era.

Pure boxing is how he reached the heights he did in the ring. Alongside Canelo Alvarez, wins over Errol Spence Jr., Shawn Porter, Amir Khan, and Kell Brook, among many others, emphasize an incredible career for Crawford.

"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."

"And now, it's time. Thank you."

"To my opponents who pushed me to places I didn't know I could go, to the fans who believed in me when they didn't have to: you made this a journey that I'll carry with pride for the rest of my life."

"To my haters, to the people that didn't believe in me: thank you. Because without you, because without having that fire in my gut to prove each and every one of you wrong, you pushed me to heights that I never thought I'd reach."

Terence Crawford then went on to thank and share the spotlight with those who've helped him achieve the level of success he has in the ring.

Everyone from family, his team, promoters, and the friends he made along the way was mentioned in Crawford's heartwarming retirement post. However, with all of his success in boxing, it was his children that Crawford considers his true legacy.

With a perfect 42-0 record, Terence Crawford will forever be considered one of the greats of boxing following his shocking retirement announcement.

"I'm stepping away from competition, not because I'm done fighting, but because I've won a different kind of battle. The one where you walk away on your own terms."

"This isn't goodbye. It's just the end of one fight and the beginning of another."

Watch Terence Crawford's gratifying retirement video below.