Terence Crawford Crowned BWAA 2025 Fighter of the Year Following Legendary Career
In a move that aligns with widespread expectations, the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) has named American boxer Terence Crawford as its 2025 Fighter of the Year. This prestigious accolade comes on the heels of a historic year for Crawford, marked by a career-defining victory and his subsequent retirement from the sport.
A Year of Unprecedented Achievement
Crawford fought only once in 2025, but that single bout etched his name indelibly into boxing history. He faced Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in a highly anticipated super middleweight undisputed title fight, emerging victorious via unanimous decision. This triumph was particularly remarkable as Crawford moved up two weight divisions to challenge Alvarez, with few pundits giving him a chance against the future Hall of Famer.
Second Time Honored
This marks the second time Crawford has received the BWAA Fighter of the Year award, having first earned the honor back in 2014. In the 2025 selection, he outpaced a formidable field of candidates, including Russian Dmitry Bivol, Japanese sensation Naoya "Monster" Inoue, American Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez, and Puerto Rican Rene Santiago.
Legacy Cemented
The victory over Alvarez propelled Crawford to the status of a five-division world champion, making him the first boxer ever to secure undisputed titles in three different weight divisions. With an impeccable professional record of 42-0, including 31 knockouts, Crawford chose to retire in December 2025 at the age of 38. For Crawford, this award serves as a fitting capstone to a career where he has nothing left to prove.
