NEW YORK, NY — Terence “Bud” Crawford established a legacy in the ring, the first male boxer of the four-belt era to become undisputed champion in three different weight classes. A sure first ballot Boxing Hall of Famer and one who earned plenty of money.
So Tuesday the boxing world was stunned, as Crawford, at 38-years-old and strong, announced it was over with a career record of 42-0. That last memorable and commanding win dethroned Canelo Alvarez, undisputed with all the belts at 168 pounds.
A memorable and historic championship win, Alvarez was no match for Crawford who dominated the Mexican legend. And three months after the historic win, surely that was not going to be his last fight.
Terence Crawford defeated Canelo Alvarez this past September, ending an iconic pro-career boxing career at 42-0 with 31 knockouts – Image Credit: Steve Marcus/Getty Images
I always say fighters never retire. They disappear, miss a roar of the crowd, and of course, the millions of dollars that go with boxing grows the enticement to return as many do. Though Crawford is not one to be indecisive, evidenced with his ability since turning pro in 2008 which is longevity for a fighter.
This time, though, Crawford has that conviction of ending in ring competition. He loves boxing and won’t be silent as an observer, training young prospects in Omaha Nebraska, even sitting on the commentary table and the offers are bound to come.
“I gave this sport every breath I had, every scar, every triumph, every source of my heart and I’ve made peace with what’s next and now it’s time, thank you,” he said in an emotional five minute farewell posted on his YouTube channel.
I recall earlier this year chatting with Crawford, ringside at Madison Square Garden months before going into hibernation as he prepared to meet Alvarez, a fight that needed no hype. Crawford and Alvarez were always in discussion for the past few years. Simply, it was being billed as the best two pound-for-pound fighters in the business.
Then, I asked Crawford, “Is this the fight with a win that will cement your legacy?”
Crawford would say in his quiet monotone, “There is no guarantee in boxing but I am facing the best.” Asked if it would be his last fight, Crawford responded with a smile.
The photo Terence Crawford included on his retirement post on his social media accounts on Tuesday afternoon – Image Credit: @terencecrawford on Twitter/X
It was apparent the Alvarez fight was the one he needed. The fight Crawford sought as he aligned with Turki Al-Sheikh and Riyadh season with the purse reportedly over $40 million and he moved up two weight classes. Then again, aligning in partnership is a lucrative opportunity and fighters are waiting in line to be highlighted on a Ring Magazine-Turki promoted event as the complexion of boxing has changed.
“Thank you Turki, Sela and Riyadh,” he said. “Not for just making history with me, but continuing to do what you do for the sport of boxing. I did it all my way.”
And Crawford always looked for change, the betterment of a sport that made him illustrious and provided a legacy. He was a proponent of protecting fighters and advocate to not overturn the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act that protects fighters from the malicious greed that causes more harm than good.
Terence Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez hit 41.1 million global viewers on Netflix which marked the highest amount for a men’s championship boxing match of this century – Image Credit: Ring Magazine
Two weeks ago there was a signal, Crawford was rebelling against the system and challenged the World Boxing Council (WBC) for one of the titles he won from Alvarez, relinquished over a sanctioning fee dispute. The alphabet soup boxing organizations that confuse boxing with champions and rankings, all who dictate who meets who, charging extraordinary fees to fight for significant titles? Crawford was accused of not paying over $30,000 in fees from the Alvarez and previous fight vs. Israil Madrimov in August of 2024.
Instead, Crawford said keep the distinguished green belt after he was stripped and no longer undisputed. He said the fees were excessive and abusive. That mattered, all the historic champions that have and still own that title. He sent a message to a boxing industry that needs reform. The title, though, is vacant and once again boxing simply can’t unify the title picture.
But he did unify and became undisputed, a five-division champion at 135, 140, 147,154, and 168. And finally with his original promoters at Top Rank Boxing, and with Errol Spence and the PBC, it was history.
Crawford got the ninth round stoppage in July of 2023 on Showtime PPV, beating Spence and at 147, he had the first undisputed champion in almost 20 years. They said Spence would win, but Crawford could punch and constantly finished the job in the eighth or ninth round.
Terence Crawford established a legacy across the sport of boxing throughout his pro-career and will continue to do so in his future endeavors – Image Credit: Ring Magazine
He goes down as an all-time great, the opponents will tell you. Boxing history will say he never bowed down to an opponent. And he did his business quietly outside the ring. Never would Crawford bad mouth an adversary, they did the talking.
But in boxing, they always seem to return especially if the money is right. But the feeling here is Terence Crawford got his last punches during that fight with Alvarez, memorable because he dominated and stopped a legacy, in turn established one for himself.
“Walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove,” Crawford said.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
Rich Mancuso and Tommy D host Keep It In The Ring weekly with latest boxing, pro wrestling analysis and recaps. Like, comment, subscribe to Rich Mancuso @Youtube
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