Skip to main content
Boxing

Terence Crawford Comeback Speculation Quickly Shot Down By Trainer

While he is officially retired, boxing experts believe that footage of hard training at a gym means the legendary fighter is priming for a return.
Terrance Biggs|
Terence Crawford on September 9, 2025.
Terence Crawford on September 9, 2025. | IMAGO / Hoganphotos

Terence Crawford etched his name in boxing history with a career that stands as one of the best of this era. With enough titles to fill a storage facility, Crawford has nothing left to prove.

Similarly, his ability to manage his money has led to enough wealth that he doesn't need to step between the ropes again as an active fighter. Yet, that isn't what could lead him back into competition.

Crawford is a fighter at his core. From a legacy standpoint, he doesn't need to fight another round. However, that doesn't mean the urge to get back to doing what he's done for decades just goes away. While Crawford is officially retired, a few boxing analysts believe he will return to the squared circle.

Terence Crawford
IMAGO / Hoganphotos

Comeback speculation quickly shot down

Reports of Crawford training at B+B Gyn sparked speculation this week, giving rise to the belief that a return is in the offing. No one else knows a fighter's mind like other fighters. Two-division world champion Paulie Malinaggi, on Boxing Scene Today, said he believes that the evidence of how Crawford trained provides the best clue as to his intentions.

“He's not exactly sparring easily. There are some crazy fighters who will spar after they retire, but they'll be sparring light. They're not going to put themselves in danger… In boxing, if you are doing it at a high level in the gym, it can still be risky to your health. Sparring can cause brain damage. It can cause detached retinas and things like that."

"When you see guys retired and they're sparring heavy. They're not just working. Then, of course, you've got to start considering that there's no way he's just doing it for the fun… that means you are putting your best foot forward to get on a very high level and see… (how) his body reacts, day-to-day."

Despite all of Malinaggi's assertions, one important person firmly believes that Crawford will stay retired. Brian "BoMac" McIntyre threw cold water on the hope that his fighter will be making his return:

"Bud loves the environment that he created, that we created together as a team. He just wanted to come out and get some work in. Bud's done. He said he's done. I respect his decision. I want him to be done because he has nothing else to prove. "

If anyone knows Crawford and his intentions, his longtime trainer does. According to McIntyre, Crawford's win against Canelo Alvarez last year was his swan song, and 'Bud' was just showing up for Lester Martinez's camp.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published | Modified
Terrance Biggs
TERRANCE BIGGS

Terrance is a boxing writer for KO on SI. He's enjoyed over a decade of writing experience, writing for Full Press Coverage, Pro Football Sports Network and Heavy.com, covering both professional and collegiate sports. He is s a member of the Football Writers Association of America and the United States Basketball Writers Association. Terrance also votes on postseason awards like the Biletnikoff, Groza, and Thorpe Awards. Biggs earned his bachelor's degree in Communication from Fort Hays State University. When not writing, he enjoys spending time with his children and his fiancée, along with playing softball.