STWF Sports | Dec. 28, 2025 – Terence Crawford’s career has been defined by precision, adaptability, and an unrelenting will to solve problems inside the ring. Now retired, the American icon is looking back on a résumé that places him among boxing’s all-time greats—and his assessment of the toughest challenge he ever faced may surprise many.
Despite recently adding Canelo Alvarez to his list of conquered champions, Terence Crawford did not hesitate when asked to identify the most difficult opponent of his career. Instead of pointing to the Mexican superstar he dominated in September to claim undisputed super-middleweight honors, Crawford named Yuriorkis Gamboa.
“Gamboa,” Crawford said during a conversation with Adin Ross. “And that was at 135.”
The answer underscored a long-held belief from Crawford, who has frequently credited Gamboa as the hardest-hitting and most dangerous fighter he ever shared the ring with. Even after outclassing Alvarez in what many viewed as a career-defining masterclass, Crawford’s perspective has not changed.
Crawford’s bout with Gamboa came in 2015, his 24th professional fight, and represented a critical moment in his rise. At the time, Gamboa was widely touted as boxing’s next transcendent star—often labeled the sport’s future Floyd Mayweather—thanks to his speed, explosiveness, and Olympic pedigree. The Cuban posed a legitimate threat as Crawford defended his WBO lightweight title against an opponent many believed could derail his ascent.
Early on, those concerns appeared justified. Gamboa came out aggressively, testing Crawford with sharp combinations and power shots that forced the champion to remain alert. It was one of the few times in Crawford’s career where he faced sustained danger from a naturally explosive puncher.
As the fight progressed, however, Crawford began to impose his control. By the fifth round, he turned the tide dramatically, dropping Gamboa and signaling a shift in momentum. What followed was a showcase of calculated dominance. Crawford knocked Gamboa down four times over the course of the bout, gradually breaking down a fighter who had entered with immense hype and confidence.
The finish came in the ninth round, a statement ending that solidified Crawford’s reputation as a fighter who could weather early storms and systematically dismantle elite opposition. Still, the fight was far from effortless. Crawford absorbed clean shots late, momentarily tested by Gamboa’s power before closing the show. That blend of danger and adversity is precisely why the bout has remained etched in Crawford’s mind.
That context helps explain why Crawford’s emphatic victory over Alvarez—dominant though it was—did not replace Gamboa at the top of his list. Against Alvarez, Crawford appeared in complete command, neutralizing the former pound-for-pound king with movement, timing, and tactical brilliance. The challenge was historic, but the peril never felt as immediate.
Crawford’s reflections come on the heels of his decision to retire from boxing, ending speculation about further title pursuits. The 38-year-old had flirted with the idea of moving to middleweight in an attempt to become a six-division world champion and even hinted at a possible return in March. Ultimately, he chose to step away.
“No, not at all, that’d be stupid of me [to continue],” Crawford said. “I’m 38. 38 is old in boxing. I’ve been boxing since I was seven. I have nothing else to prove.”
For Crawford, the decision was not about navigating boxing’s increasingly complex title landscape, but about recognizing the right moment to walk away.
“I have nothing else to accomplish,” he added. “What more can I do? They’re not gonna give me the credit anyway, so it really doesn’t even matter.”
With an undefeated record, championships across multiple divisions, and defining wins over the era’s elite, Crawford exits the sport on his own terms. And in his final assessment, it is not the biggest name he defeated—but the fight that tested him most—that best captures the essence of his greatness.
