TIMES JATIM, MALANG – In the world of boxing, defeats and victories are part of the narrative that makes up a legend. There are only a handful of boxers who write their narratives in the golden ink of “Undefeated”: Joe “Italian Dragon” Calzaghe from Wales and Terence “Bud” Crawford from the United States.
Both of them decided to hang their gloves on different brilliant records. They reflect different eras, personalities and ambitions. They chose to stop boxing when everyone worshiped them sky high.
Joe Calzaghe, Retiring at the Right Time
Calzaghe’s surprising decision occurred at a press conference in Cardiff on February 5 2009. Joe Calzaghe (46-0, 32 KOs), at age 36, announced his retirement. “I have accomplished everything I wanted in this sport,” he said, quoted by BBC Sport.
“I was world champion for more than ten years. Beat all the big names, and stopped as an undefeated boxer. There was nothing left to prove,” he continued.
This decision was made after three months of his fight against Roy Jones Jr. with a unanimous decision victory at Madison Square Garden, November 2008. That was his last fight. With a record of 21 WBO title defenses, Calzaghe then stepped up to light heavyweight and defeated two big icons at the time: Bernard Hopkins (split decision) and Roy Jones Jr.
Many boxing fans were disappointed by the decision. They still wanted to see Calzaghe’s fight again against Chad Dawson, a young boxer who was on the rise at that time.
The most logical answer was finally put forward by Boxing Analyst Steve Bunce in The Independent. “Calzaghe has mastered the art of leaving on time. He could have kept fighting, but with a chronic hand injury and everything already under his belt, continuing would only add risk to his undefeated legacy. Wins over Hopkins and Jones are the perfect final statements,” he said.
And right. Calzaghe’s decision to retire when he was the undefeated King at that time was correct. He has been able to silence critics who say he is just a European champion. He was unable to win the United States. By defeating Jeff Lacy, Mikkel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins, and Roy Jones Jr, he silenced all the criticism.
“I came, I proved, and I go.” That’s what he finally said when he chose to retire.
Terence Crawford, Retires After Conquering the Highest Mountain
While Calzaghe retired after defeating many legendary names, Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KO) chose a much more ambitious path. Crawford retired not because there were no more challenges in his division, but because he had conquered challenges that were considered impossible.
On October 18 2025, the boxing world was shocked by an official statement from Crawford’s manager, Brian McIntyre. “After in-depth discussions with his family, Terence Crawford gratefully announces his retirement from professional boxing…, God has blessed a career beyond dreams. His goals as a boxer have been achieved,” the statement read.
This statement came after Crawford’s biggest win against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. In that epic fight, Crawford moved up two classes from welterweight to super middleweight to face the undisputed king of his class. In that fight, Crawford showed his technical genius. He beat Canelo with a very convincing unanimous decision.
The victory is a new historical record. Crawford became the first boxer in the four-belt era to become undisputed champion in three different divisions (light welterweight, welterweight, super middleweight). Crawford had defeated the main rival of his era, Errol Spence Jr., by TKO. He also beat the best pound-for-pound boxers in the higher divisions.
“What else does he have to prove?” wrote boxing analyst Lance Pugmire in The Athletic.
“Crawford retired not because he was obsolete, but because he had reached the pinnacle of boxing’s Everest. Beating Canelo was the ultimate, indisputable statement. Retiring after that made his legacy an untouchable myth,” he added.
Two Narratives Leading to Legend
Joe Calzaghe and Terence Crawford are not just boxers who have never lost. They are the owners of a complete career narrative that was deliberately created and planned.
Calzaghe, according to many observers, was a patient strategist. He is known as a fighter who builds defensive fortifications before launching the perfect final attack. His retirement was the most logical action he chose to protect the record of achievements he had worked so hard to build.
Meanwhile, Crawford is widely known as a fearless fighter and explorer. He continued to climb higher mountains until there were no more peaks left.
The decision to retire at the peak of their careers was a declaration of absolute victory for both of them. Declaration that he has won all forms of battles and games flawlessly.
They both understood something that many athletes rarely understand. That the greatest invincibility is not just about what happens in the ring, but also about the ability to stop time at the right moment. Calzaghe stopped it at the moment of ultimate satisfaction. Crawford stopped him in a moment of supreme grace.
Maybe in boxing history books, their names will always be side by side, not as rivals. However, as two legends with different narratives. They retired spotless. Retire without regrets. Retirement without leaving room for anyone to say or ask: “What if?”…
| Reporter | : Faizal R Arief |
| Editor | : Faizal R Arief |
