In a surprising turn of events, retired boxing champion Terence Crawford finds himself in a legal battle outside the ring. Just days after announcing the end of his illustrious career, the 38-year-old undefeated fighter has been hit with a significant lawsuit from a prominent New York jeweler.
The Core of the Legal Dispute
The lawsuit, filed on December 18 and obtained by TMZ Sports, centers on a broken business agreement. The jeweler, Mazza New York, accuses Crawford of misleading them over a sponsorship deal tied to a luxury watch and promotional exposure during his fights. This legal action adds an unexpected and controversial chapter to Crawford's recent retirement announcement, which followed his historic victory over Canelo Alvarez.
Details of the Failed Agreement
According to the court documents, the dispute began in February 2024 when Terence Crawford visited the Mazza New York store. During this visit, he ordered several custom pendants for himself and his team. His attention was then captured by a $139,000 Patek Philippe Aquanaut watch.
Mazza New York claims that Crawford proposed a unique payment plan. He suggested paying $35,000 upfront and covering the remaining balance by promoting the jeweler's logo on his fight shorts during his bouts. The jeweler agreed to this arrangement, seeing it as a valuable marketing opportunity.
Promises Broken and Missed Opportunities
The first test of this deal was Crawford's fight against Israil Madrimov in August 2024. Mazza alleges that the promotional logo "had completely fallen off" Crawford's shorts by the fourth round, rendering the exposure useless. Following this, Crawford and his representatives reportedly admitted they did not fulfill the terms and promised to correct the situation in the next fight.
That next fight was the high-profile bout against Canelo Alvarez on September 13, 2024. Mazza states that he delivered a new logo patch to Crawford's team ahead of the event. However, he was later informed that the logo would not appear on Crawford's shorts during the Alvarez fight, allegedly without any reason or explanation for the last-minute change.
Financial Fallout and Legal Demands
By allegedly backing out of the agreement, Mazza New York claims his business lost a massive promotional opportunity. He estimates the value of the missed exposure during two major fights, including the Canelo Alvarez showdown, to be worth around $1.5 million.
The lawsuit seeks at least that amount in damages, along with additional compensation for the breach of contract. This legal challenge casts a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory retirement period for the boxer.
Crawford's Legacy Amidst Controversy
The lawsuit emerged just days after Terence Crawford made his retirement official. He announced his decision on a Tuesday, sharing a career highlight video on the social media platform X with the caption, "Walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove."
Crawford ends his career with a perfect record, retiring as a rare three-division champion across lightweight, super-lightweight, and welterweight classes. This legal issue, however, presents a significant personal and financial challenge as he transitions out of professional boxing.
