Boxing legend Terence Crawford has announced his retirement after joining Michigander as the only three-division undisputed champion in the four-belt era.
Recommended Videos
Boxing legend Terence “Bud” Crawford has announced his retirement, joining Flint native Claressa Shields as the only three-division undisputed champion in the four-belt era.
Crawford made the announcement on Tuesday, Dec. 16, sharing a tribute video on his personal YouTube page.
“Every fighter knows this moment will come. We just never know when,” Crawford said in the 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 to everyone wrong.”
Crawford took down Canelo Álvarez in the fight of the century during their bout in Las Vegas on Sept. 13, 2025, to improve to 42-0-0 with 31 knockouts while winning the undisputed super middleweight championship, which includes the WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC super middleweight titles as well as the Ring Magazine championship inside Allegiant Stadium on Netflix.
Shields achieved her historic moment back in February when she defeated Danielle Perkins inside Little Caesars Arena.
Crawford reflected on his journey, saying, “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.”
Crawford described his career as “unbelievable performance” and called himself the “pound-for-pound king,” highlighting his status as the Ring magazine and undisputed super middleweight champion of the world.
“I gave this sport every breath I had, every scar, every triumph,” he said. “And I’ve made peace with what’s next. And now it’s time.”
Bud expressed gratitude to his opponents, fans, and even critics.
“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 journey something I carried with pride for the rest of my life,” Crawford said.
“To my haters and to the people that didn’t believe in me, thank you. Because without you, 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’ll reach,” Crawford said.
Crawford also thanked his team and family, naming many individuals who supported him throughout his career.
“I don’t view you just as members of my team. I view you as members of my family,” Crawdord said.
Bud gave special thanks to his parents: “Mom, thank you for the tough lessons. You built a mentally strong, resilient man. Dad, thank you for the support. You were the first person to say that I was going to be a million-dollar baby and that I would one day be a world champion.”
To his children, Crawford said, “You are my legacy.”
Bud concluded, “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,” Crawford said.