By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post
Terence “Bud” Crawford, the undefeated boxing champion from Omaha, Nebraska, has announced his retirement from professional boxing at age 38, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in the sport’s modern era.
Crawford’s decision comes amid recent controversy involving a world title and a dispute over sanctioning fees, but his retirement announcement focused less on belts and business and more on legacy, family, and walking away on his own terms.
Title Dispute Draws National Attention
Earlier this month, the World Boxing Council (WBC) stripped Omaha native Terence “Bud” Crawford of its super-middleweight world title, citing unpaid sanctioning fees tied to his recent fights. The organization said it made multiple attempts to contact Crawford and his representatives before taking action.
Crawford responded forcefully in a video posted to Instagram, using strong language to criticize the WBC and its leadership. In the video, Crawford rejected the fee demand outright, saying, “I ain’t paying your ass s**t.”
He questioned why the WBC’s fees differed from those of other sanctioning bodies, saying, “What makes you so [better] than any of the other sanctioning bodies? … everybody accepted what I was giving them — but you.”
Crawford also downplayed the importance of the title itself, stating, “You can take the f**king belt. It’s a trophy anyway.”
In the same video, Crawford challenged the broader financial structure of boxing’s sanctioning system, saying, “I'm paying you every time I step foot in the [ring]? I’m [putting] my life on the line — not you.”
He additionally took aim at WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, suggesting favoritism and frustration with the organization’s response following his most recent fight. “Mauricio, everybody in the world know you was going for Canelo… Say congratulations instead of having that little smirk on your face,” Crawford said.
While the comments fueled widespread debate within the boxing world, the dispute did not affect the outcome of Crawford’s fights or his undefeated professional record. The controversy marked a rare public rift between one of boxing’s most accomplished champions and a major sanctioning body — and became a notable moment in the closing chapter of Crawford’s career.
Crawford Announces Retirement at 38
In a video announcement shared publicly, Crawford confirmed he is stepping away from the sport, saying, “Every fighter know this moment will come. We just never know when.”
Crawford reflected on his journey, emphasizing that his motivation was never about titles or money. “I spent my whole life chasing something — not belts, not money, not headlines — but that feeling… when the world doubts you but you keep showing up,” he said.
Throughout the message, Crawford repeatedly tied his career to his roots. “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 who had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves,” he said.
Crawford said he is leaving with peace, stating, “I’ve made peace with what’s next. And now it’s time.”
He made clear that his retirement was not due to decline, saying, “I’m stepping away from competition not because I’m done fighting, but because I’ve won a different kind of battle — the one where you walk away on your own terms.”
Crawford added, “This isn’t goodbye. It’s just the end of one fight and the beginning of another.”
A Nebraska Legacy
For Omaha and the state of Nebraska, Crawford’s retirement marks the end of a career that brought international attention to the city he proudly represented throughout his rise.
From local gyms to championship bouts on the world stage, Crawford consistently credited Omaha as part of his identity. His journey from a kid with “nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves” to an undefeated, multi-division champion has made him one of the most accomplished athletes Nebraska has ever produced.
While the recent title dispute adds a complicated final chapter, Crawford’s legacy — in boxing and in Omaha — remains firmly intact.