In a stunning capstone to an already legendary career, American boxing superstar Terence Crawford was named the Fighter of the Year for 2025 by BoxingScene, despite facing only a single opponent. The award recognizes his monumental achievement in the Year of the Wood Snake, a feat few believed was possible at the year's outset.
The Dream Fight That Defined a Year
The sole reason for this prestigious honor was Crawford's seismic victory over Mexican icon Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. On September 13, in front of a roaring crowd of 70,482 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and a global audience of 41,000 viewers on Netflix, Crawford achieved the unthinkable. He moved up two weight divisions to challenge Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight crown and won via a dominant unanimous decision.
This victory was the culmination of a long-held ambition for Crawford. Entering 2025 with a pristine 42-0 record, with 31 knockouts, the 38-year-old fighter was at a career crossroads. He had publicly stated that if a fight with Alvarez couldn't be made, he would likely retire, feeling he had nothing left to prove after becoming undisputed champion in both the welterweight and super light welterweight divisions.
Defying the Odds and Critics
The path to the Canelo fight was fraught with doubt. Many in the boxing world considered it a dangerous, even foolhardy, move for Crawford to jump so high in weight to face a powerhouse like Alvarez. The term "undisputed champion" is reserved for the rare fighter who manages to collect all four major world title belts—WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF—in one weight class. Alvarez held that status at super middleweight.
However, Crawford's performance was a masterclass. He proved that skill and ring IQ are more potent weapons than sheer power and size advantage. He systematically broke down the challenge, fulfilling his dream and silencing the critics who doubted his ability to conquer this immense task.
A Champion's Exit on Top
Following this career-defining win and the subsequent Fighter of the Year accolade, Terence Crawford has made a decisive announcement. He has officially retired from professional boxing. He leaves the sport at the age of 38, carrying with him an untarnished legacy and that perfect 42-0 (31 KOs) record into the history books.
His retirement marks the end of an era for one of boxing's most technically gifted fighters. Crawford exits not just as a winner, but as a fighter who sought out the greatest challenge possible for his final act and emerged victorious, securing his place among the all-time greats.
