Roy Jones Jr gave an emphatic four-word answer when asked to comment on Terence Crawford’s unexpected retirement announcement.
‘Bud’ called time on his illustrious career earlier this week, leaving behind a glittering legacy that has secured his Hall of Fame status beyond any reasonable doubt.
What is perhaps most remarkable, though, is that Crawford claimed his first world title at 135lbs, back in 2014, and then exited the sport after becoming an undisputed super-middleweight champion.
This, for many, is the 38-year-old’s most extraordinary achievement, especially when considering that he moved up two weight divisions to face Canelo Alvarez in September.
But despite giving up several physical advantages, Crawford nonetheless produced a masterful performance to dethrone the then-168lb king with a clear unanimous decision victory, becoming a three-division undisputed champion.
Along with that, many will highlight the Nebraskan’s truly dominant display against Errol Spence Jr, who he faced in 2023, as a career-defining moment.
Again, Crawford was written off by a vast selection of aficionados, most of them suspecting that Spence would be far too imposing for the five-division world champion.
Taking on the challenge in typically tenacious fashion, however, Crawford was able to dismantle his American rival with a destructive, nine-round clinic.
With his greatness cemented, it now seems the perfect time for ‘Bud’, who was reportedly in talks to rematch Canelo next year, to sail off into the sunset.
Someone who agrees with that sentiment is pound-for-pound legend Jones, who offered a brief reaction to Crawford’s retirement in an interview with Fight Hub TV.
“Beautiful thing; perfect timing.”
