Terence Crawford has announced his retirement from boxing, stating he has “nothing else left to prove” following a recent controversy over being stripped of one of his titles. The 38-year-old fighter, who boasts an unblemished record of 42-0, made headlines last month when he defeated Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in September 2023. This victory marked him as the first male boxer in the modern era to hold undisputed titles across three weight classes, further solidifying his status as the best pound-for-pound boxer.
In a heartfelt five-and-a-half minute video shared on his YouTube channel, Crawford reflected on his career, emphasizing that every fighter anticipates this moment, but the timing is often unexpected. He expressed gratitude for what boxing has provided him, noting, “I 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.”
Crawford’s impressive career includes titles in four weight classes: lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight, and super welterweight. His recent bout against Alvarez saw him ascend two additional weight divisions, a testament to his skill and determination in the ring.
The controversy began when the World Boxing Council (WBC) announced that Crawford would be stripped of his super middleweight title due to unpaid sanctioning fees. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman revealed earlier this month that Crawford lost recognition as champion after allegedly refusing to pay $300,000 to the organization. Sulaiman characterized Crawford’s actions as a “slap in the face” to the sport.
In response to the stripping, Crawford delivered a passionate and explicit rant on Instagram Live. He addressed the sanctioning fees, asserting, “I ain’t paying your a**** s***. What makes you so much better than the other sanctioning bodies?” He criticized the WBC’s perceived arrogance, stating, “You have the green belt, which don’t mean f******* s***. The f****** real belt is The Ring belt, which is free m********… You can take the f***ing belt. It’s a trophy anyway.”
Crawford’s frustrations extended to the financial burden placed on fighters by sanctioning bodies, as he remarked on the lavish lifestyles often enjoyed by those in power, funded by the athletes themselves. “It irks my nerves that this dude gets on a plane, gets a hotel suite for him and his buddies, they go out for five-star meals and dinners and all of that, and guess who has to pay for it? Us fighters,” he said.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Crawford reiterated the importance of his journey in boxing, stating that he fought for his family, his city, and the dreams he once held as a child. “I gave this sport every breath I have, every spar, every triumph, every ounce of my heart. I’ve made peace with what’s next. Now, it’s time. Thank you,” he concluded in his retirement announcement.
As Crawford steps away from the ring, his legacy as one of boxing’s greats remains firmly intact. His accomplishments will continue to inspire future generations of fighters, while the discussions surrounding sanctioning bodies and their roles in the sport are likely to persist.
