Terence Crawford has rejected a boxing return worth $100 million, cementing his retirement as final.
Taking the long path to global superstardom through a hard-fought career, Crawford managed to achieve that late in his career. But instead of capitalizing on the money and fame as many of his peers had done before him, Crawford decided to hang up the gloves just as he tasted worldwide recognition.
Many felt ‘Bud’ had so much more to offer in the ring, believing his departure from the sport to be premature. Others considered it to be a hiatus, with the 38-year-old likely returning in several years for a big payday fight.
Only time will tell what Terence Crawford decides to do, but one thing is for certain: He will not entertain coming out of retirement any time soon, even for generational wealth.
During an appearance on The Pivot Podcast, Crawford told former NFL star Channing Crowder that he will not return to boxing, even for a large sum, labeling the alternative selling your soul. Crowder jokingly claimed he would sell his soul for $100 million, forcing a reaction from the boxer.
“That’s you. Now we know your character,” Crawford said. “Sometimes, you know, you look at people and be like, ‘Dang, man, you ain’t got no dignity. You ain’t got no morals.’ Come on, man. Like, what are you gonna stand for if everything is about money?”
Unlike many of his peers, Terence Crawford never chased money throughout his 17-year career in boxing. With success considered the true motivation for Crawford, there is nothing left to prove in a sport he has dominated since his debut in 2008.
“I never was in a sport because of money, you know,” Crawford continued. “Well, of course, I was in a sport to make money, but I wanted to be a world champion. I wanted to do something that I set my sights out to do as a little boy, and money wasn’t the motivation. Being a world champion was the motivation.”
“Me accomplishing all the things that I’ve accomplished along the way on my journey… Then I became a world champion, and it was just like, man, all this other stuff is a cherry on the top. I did what I set my sights out to do.”