American boxer Terence Crawford announced Tuesday his retirement at the age of 38, with a perfect record of 42 wins in 42 fights, having been undisputed champion in three different categories and “with nothing more to prove”.
“I am stepping away from the competition, not because I can no longer fight, but because I have won another kind of battle: that of being able to leave by my own decision. This is not goodbye, it’s just the end of one fight and the beginning of another,” he said in a video posted on social networks.
Perfect farewell with undefeated record
His last fight, which closed his unblemished 42-0 record, was in September of this year, against Mexican Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
He defeated him by unanimous decision to be crowned undisputed in the super middleweight category.
“I’ve given this sport every last breath I’ve taken, every scar, every triumph, every piece of my heart.”
“And I’m at peace with what’s coming. The time has come,” said Terence Crawford.
Crawford closes a 17-year career with 18 world titles in five divisions.
The Omaha native has been undisputed champion at super lightweight, welterweight and super middleweight, in addition to accumulating belts at lightweight and super welterweight.
Of Terence Crawford’s 42 victories, 31 have been by knockout.
Beyond money, a life of struggle
The fight against Alvarez was considered a feat, as Crawford moved up two divisions to face him.
According to Forbes magazine, Terence Crawford has earned more than $100 million dollars in the ring.
“Every boxer knows that this moment comes to him. The only thing we don’t know is when,” he said in the farewell video.
“I’ve spent my life chasing something, not belts, not money or covers, but a feeling.”
“That one you get when the world doubts you, but you’re still there, you’re still fighting and you’re still proving everyone wrong. This sport gave me everything,” he said.
“I fought for my family, I fought for my city. I fought for the kid I was, the one who had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves, and I always did it my way,” Terence Crawford added.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com