Boxing champion Terence Crawford has confirmed his retirement from the sport at age 38, ending his career with an unblemished 42-0 record. The news broke Tuesday through a social media video posted three months after his September masterclass against Canelo Álvarez in Las Vegas.
Crawford’s final performance against Álvarez represented boxing excellence at its finest, as he controlled every aspect of the fight to win the undisputed super middleweight championship by unanimous decision. The victory over such a high-profile opponent provided the ideal conclusion to a career marked by consistent dominance.
In announcing his retirement, Crawford stressed the personal importance of making the decision himself rather than being forced out by circumstances. He discussed the deeper motivations that fueled his career—proving skeptics wrong with each victory, supporting his family, proudly representing Nebraska, and honoring the dreams of his childhood self who started with limited resources.
Crawford made his professional debut in 2008 and secured his first world title six years later by defeating Ricky Burns for the WBO lightweight championship. His southpaw stance and technical brilliance made him a nightmare for opponents across five weight divisions, as he methodically built one of boxing’s most impressive legacies.
The career statistics are historic: 42 consecutive victories, 31 knockouts, 18 world championships in five different weight classes, never knocked down, and holding three super middleweight titles (WBA, IBF, WBO). Crawford’s perfect record includes the distinction that every single win came via stoppage or unanimous decision, with no judge ever scoring against him in any round of any fight throughout his entire career—an unparalleled level of excellence.