The boxing world was left reeling on Tuesday night as one of its greatest modern champions, Terence 'Bud' Crawford, abruptly announced his retirement with a shocking and profane dismissal of the sport that made him a star.
A Legacy Tarnished by a Sour Farewell
The 38-year-old from Omaha, widely hailed as the planet's best pound-for-pound fighter after his historic victory over Mexican icon Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in September, declared he was "done with boxing." In a stunning moment, Crawford told the gathered media, "F*** boxing," and added with a laugh, "I hate boxing. I don't want to have to go back to the gym."
His comments sent a pained wince through the fight community, arguably causing more hurt than the punches he landed in his 42 undefeated professional wins. The outburst, which came as he was stripped of his WBC super-middleweight title for refusing to pay the sanctioning fee, threatened to overshadow a glittering career that saw him win 18 major world titles across five weight classes and become a three-division undisputed champion.
Timing and Tension Cast a Shadow
Crawford's disrespectful exit rained on the parade of fight week for Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul, who had just arrived in Miami for their Friday night event. The timing amplified the disappointment within the boxing fraternity, which was already simmering due to his WBC dispute.
Further fuelling criticism, his outburst gave voice to growing whispers that Crawford is unwilling to risk his pristine record against the dangerous mandatory challenger, David 'The Mexican Monster' Benavidez. Chuckling, Crawford thanked both Canelo and Errol Spence Jr. for helping build his "now tainted legend," before mumbling about needing to beat such greats before retiring. This did little to quell the desire of both Spence and Canelo for a chance at revenge.
Where Does This Leave Boxing's Pound-for-Pound Crown?
Crawford's departure and the manner of it inevitably sparks debate about the sport's current hierarchy. For many, the mantle of the world's best pound-for-pound boxer now firmly rests with the brilliant Ukrainian, Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight champion.
The career of Terence Crawford, which began in 2008 and reached its zenith with the win over Canelo, has ended not with a respectful bow but with a bitter curse. It serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a legacy, however great, can be tarnished.
