Terence Crawford retires and quits boxing at the age of 38

Terence Crawford, who was a legendary American boxer, has chosen to end his professional boxing career at the age of 38, and he has an impressive record of 42 wins and no defeats. A five-weight division champion, Crawford made his final appearance in the ring to face a Mexican superstar, Saul Cabelo Alvarez, in which he won by unanimous decision in the super middleweight division in September. This was one of the best performances that Crawford has ever exhibited because he successfully outsmarted the larger Alvarez, and it was another major accomplishment in his glorious career.

When Crawford announced his retirement through social media, he had a mix of feelings, leaving it open to the future. “I’m stepping away from competition, not because I’m done fighting but because I’ve won a different kind of battle,” he stated.

He pointed out that he did this to be in a position to retire from a sport. “This isn’t goodbye, this is the end of one fight and the beginning of another,” he added, hinting at new challenges ahead.

Crawford entered the boxing industry in 2008. He soon ascended the ladder and won his first world major championship in 2014 against Ricky Burns in the lightweight division.

Throughout his career, he won belts in the ranks of junior welterweight, welterweight, junior middleweight and most recently, the super middleweight, finally retiring as the undisputed number one-pound-for-pound fighter in the game.

Looking back at his career, Crawford wrote, “Every fighter knows this moment will come; you just never know when. 

He said that he did not venture into titles or money, but was motivated by the urge to prove himself, particularly when he was doubted by others throughout his lifetime. Among his best performances was a TKO over Shawn Porter in 2021 and one more notable win against Errol Spence Jr. in 2023.

Although there is speculation of a possible fight to give him a fourth undisputed title or a fight against social media sensation Jake Paul, Crawford instead chose to retire. He told his heartfelt farewell message that he was grateful to his opponents, the fans, and even his detractors.

He said, “Thank you to the opponents who pushed me to places I didn’t know I could go, to the fans who believed in me when I didn’t have to ….and to my haters,” he stated. “Without you, without having that fire in my gut, you pushed me to heights I never thought I’d reach.”

Crawford has left behind a legacy that will be felt in the sport in the years to come when he steps out of the ring.