‘Walking away a great’ – Crawford retires from boxing

Five-weight boxing world champion Terence Crawford says he is “walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove” after announcing his retirement at 38.

The American, who finishes with a perfect record of 42-0, made history in September when he beat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to become the first male fighter in the modern era to hold undisputed titles in three weight divisions.

That will now go down as Crawford’s last fight, having started his professional career in 2008 with a victory over Brian Cummings.

His future had been debated since he beat Canelo to become the undisputed super-middleweight champion, adding to titles at lightweight, light-welterweight, welterweight and light-middleweight.

He added he had “nothing else to prove” in the caption to his video on social media.

“I spent my whole life chasing something,” said Crawford. “Not belts, not money, not headlines, but that feeling, the one you get when the world doubts you but you keep showing up and you keep proving everyone wrong.

“This sport gave me everything, I fought for my family, I fought for my city, I fought for the kid I used to be, the one that had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves, and I did it all my way.

“I gave this sport every breath I have, every spar, every triumph, every ounce of my heart. I’ve made peace with what’s next. Now, it’s time. Thank you.”