Crawford Retirement Didn’t Sound Negotiable, Madrimov Says

Israil Madrimov does not think Terence Crawford is coming back.

After speaking directly with Crawford before the announcement, the former WBA junior middleweight champion Madrimov said the former undisputed champion sounded finished in a way fighters rarely do when retirement is still flexible. Crawford announced his decision December 16 in a video posted online, and Madrimov said the news matched what he had already been told privately.

Madrimov fought Terence Crawford in August 2024 and lost a unanimous decision. He said Crawford talked less about future fights and more about being done with training camps, the wear that accumulates, and the fact that he no longer needs boxing to support himself. That combination, Madrimov believes, separates Crawford from most fighters who step away only to circle back.

“Before he announced his retirement, we met, and he told me he’s done,” Madrimov said to The Ring. “He said he’s had enough of the sport and that he’s not chasing money. I thought maybe he was just saying it and that a big offer would change things. But he said no. I believe him.”

Crawford retired unbeaten after 42 fights, with 31 stoppages, and walked away as The Ring’s #1 pound for pound fighter. His final bout came September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where he outpointed Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to become a fully unified champion in a third division, a feat no male boxer had achieved before. It was a clean exit, timed at the top, and it removed most of the usual reasons to keep going.

Madrimov did not hide his respect, but the substance of his comments was not praise. It was certainty. He said Crawford cares about his record, his health, and leaving without giving the sport a chance to take something back.

Madrimov returns to the ring January 24 in Las Vegas after an 11 month absence. Surgeries on his left shoulder and left knee sidelined him following his loss to Vergil Ortiz Jr. last February. He faces David Salazar in a 10 round bout on the Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz undercard at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, with DAZN streaming the card.

Most fighters say they are done, but very few sound like they mean it. Crawford appears to be one of them.