Let’s hear it for “Bud”! The scene — The second annual Ring Awards unfolded last night at Cipriani 25 in New York City, setting a polished, high-profile tone. Legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer opened the ceremony in his unmistakable, electrifying style before welcoming Ring Magazine CEO Rick Reeno to the stage. Reeno then invited H.E. Turki Alalshikh to officially launch the new Ring app, pressing the button as a jumbo screen lit up the room, an opening moment that perfectly blended tradition, innovation, and spectacle.
Terence “Bud” Crawford added the final exclamation point to one of the greatest careers in boxing history.
Crawford was named The Ring Magazine’s 2025 Male Fighter of the Year (awarded January 30, 2026), honored after defeating Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez on September 13, 2025 to become a three-division undisputed champion, a feat no male boxer had ever accomplished in the four-belt era. It was a legacy-defining win, and fittingly, it came just before he walked away from the sport.
After retiring on December 16, 2025, Crawford leaves boxing with:
✅ 42–0 record (31 KOs)
✅ Undisputed champion in three divisions: Light Welterweight (2017), Welterweight (2023), and Super Middleweight (2025)
✅ 18 world titles across five weight classes
✅ A reputation as one of the most technically complete, adaptable, and intelligent fighters the sport has ever seen
✅ Major Victories: Wins over Ricky Burns (2014), Julius Indongo (2017), Errol Spence Jr. (2023), and Canelo Álvarez (2025) cemented his place as an all-time pound-for-pound king
✅ Financial Impact: 21st highest-paid athlete globally, with roughly $66 million in earnings for 2025
Other 2025 Ring Magazine Award winners:
◾ 🥊 Female Fighter of the Year: Mizuki Hiruta
◾ 🧠 Trainer of the Year: Shingo Inoue
◾ 🔥 Fight of the Year: Conor Benn vs. Chris Eubank Jr.
◾ 🌱 Prospect of the Year: Emiliano Vargas
◾ 💥 Knockout of the Year: Brian Norman vs. Jin Sasaki, Round 5
◾ 🚨 Upset of the Year: Resendiz vs. Plant
◾ ⏱️ Round of the Year: Tsutsumi vs. Higa, Round 9
Few athletes exit their profession with nothing left to prove. Crawford did exactly that.