Undefeated super middleweight world champion Terence Crawford announced his retirement from boxing on Tuesday, hanging up his gloves three months after career defining win over Canelo Alvarez.
The 38-year-old Nebraska fighter, who defeated Mexican legend Alvarez in Las Vegas in September to win the undisputed super middleweight crown, announced his decision in a video posted on social media.
“I'm retiring not because I'm done fighting, but because I won a different type of fight,” Crawford said. “The one where you leave on your own terms.”
Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) retires as the current WBA, IBF and WBO super middleweight champion after victory Alvarez unanimous decision of the judges in a masterful performance.
Crawford also held the WBC super middleweight belt, but was deprived of it earlier this month following a dispute over penalties.
Speaking in his video, Crawford said his career was built on the desire to continue to “prove everyone wrong.”
“Every fighter knows this moment is coming, but we never know when,” Crawford said.
“I've spent my whole life chasing something. Not belts, not money, not headlines. But that feeling you get when the world doubts you, but you keep showing up and keep proving everyone wrong.”
“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 until the end. I gave this sport every breath I had.”
Crawford's career spanned three decades, with the southpaw making his professional debut in 2008 and quickly becoming one of boxing's brightest talents.
He won his first WBO lightweight title by defeating Scotsman Ricky Burns in 2014.
Crawford won 18 world titles in five weight divisions, culminating with his victory over Alvarez.
He retires having never been officially knocked out in a fight.
All of his 42 victories came by unanimous decision or stoppage, and no judge in his entire career ever awarded a victory to an opponent.
