Crawford Reveals Near Comeback After Canelo Win: What Changed?

Terence Crawford, who retired undefeated in late 2025 after defeating Canelo Álvarez, revealed he seriously considered one last bold move in his career. The boxer, boasting a record of 42-0 with 31 knockouts, had conquered titles in five different divisions, solidifying his status as one of the sport's greats. Following his victory over Errol Spence Jr. in 2023, where he became the undisputed welterweight champion, Crawford moved up to 168 pounds to defeat Canelo and add the super-middleweight title to his impressive resume.

In a recent interview, Crawford confessed that he evaluated the possibility of descending to 160 pounds to attempt to capture a new title. "I thought, well, I'll go down to 160 and do it again," he explained. His primary motivation was to seek a meaningful challenge that would add even more value to his legacy. "It was a thought, to dare to be great and fight for something meaningful," he added.

The Kazakh boxer Janibek Alimkhanuly, known for his aggressiveness and power in the ring, emerged as the ideal rival for Crawford in this hypothetical foray into the middleweight division. Crawford envisioned a scenario where Alimkhanuly would face Erislandy Lara in a unification fight, which would generate significant media and sporting interest. "Janibek is a dangerous challenge," Crawford acknowledged, aware of the risk involved in facing such a high-caliber opponent.

Crawford even contemplated an even greater goal: if Alimkhanuly managed to defeat Carlos Adames and become undisputed champion, it would create a clash of titans between two undisputed champions. "Especially if he had somehow beaten Carlos Adames and [became the] undisputed [champion]. Then you [have a fight] undisputed vs undisputed," Crawford explained, highlighting the magnitude of the event that could have been brewing.

However, Crawford's plans were cut short when Alimkhanuly tested positive for a doping test. This unexpected result not only canceled the unification fight that had been planned, but also eliminated the path that Crawford had envisioned for his return to the ring. "But Janibek popped," Crawford lamented, referring to the adverse result that changed the course of events.

Faced with this situation, Terence Crawford made the decision not to continue with his plan to venture into the middleweight division. He interpreted this setback as a divine sign. "It didn't happen. So, you know what? I thought this was God telling me that I had nothing left to prove," explained the 38-year-old boxer, who chose not to seek another title opportunity and confirmed his retirement after the fight against Canelo.

Terence Crawford's decision to retire came after a period of great success. In 2023, he became the undisputed welterweight champion after defeating Spence, and then moved up two divisions to beat Canelo in 2025 and win the super middleweight titles. Throughout his career, he held lineal and undisputed titles, and accumulated belts in five different divisions.

A move to 160 pounds would have tested him again against a top-level opponent in Alimkhanuly. The middleweight champion is known for his pressure and power and has challenged several contenders. That fight did not happen, and Crawford chose to end his career without adding another bout. His final decision ensured that he left the sport without a loss and without returning for another fight.

Terence Crawford retires from boxing leaving an indelible legacy. His impeccable record and his ability to conquer titles in different divisions place him among the greatest in the history of this sport. Although the possibility of one last challenge in the middleweight division remained in the pipeline, his career will be etched in the memory of boxing fans for his talent, his determination and his competitive spirit.

Crawford proved to be a versatile and adaptable boxer, capable of overcoming any obstacle that was presented to him in the ring. His victory over Canelo Álvarez was the culmination of a career full of successes and accolades, and his decision to retire undefeated is a testament to his intelligence and his strategic vision.