Terence Crawford has responded to criticism leveled at him since his retirement.

The five-weight world champion hung up his gloves at the end of last year following an impressive victory over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, leaving the sport undefeated and with a record-breaking legacy.

Although most people praised the timing of his decision to retire, some believe that “Bud” should have stayed with the team to prove himself against the novel generation, namely Jaron Ennis.

In a series of social media posts, Crawford appeared to refer to an interview with “Boots” Ennis in which the 28-year-old claimed that if the fight did happen, he would be confident of winning by knockout.

He posted to say this.

— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) April 30, 2026

Crawford added that he “waived or rejected” the challenge. While he suggested it wasn’t directed at Ennis, he quickly added that the rising star’s career “would be over” if he fought.

“How did you get Boots out of what I just said? It’s crazy how you all play like you like him but want me [to] end your career before it starts, because that would definitely happen.

lol how did you get Boots out of what I just said?🤣🤣🤣 it’s crazy how you all play the way you like him but you wanted me to end his career before it started because that would definitely have happened.🤣🤣 smh, let me tell you something else.

— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) April 30, 2026

The undisputed three-weight champion then said Ennis couldn’t tie his shoes.

How he can’t even tie my shoes

— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) April 30, 2026

“Boots” won the IBF interim welterweight title around the same time that Crawford was becoming the undisputed leader of the division by defeating Errol Spence. He was later promoted to full champion when “Bud” increased in weight.

With fighting no longer an option, Ennis is now focused on creating his own legacy in the sport. In June, he has a chance to become a unified two-division world champion when he faces Xander Zayas for the Puerto Rican’s WBO and WBA super welterweight belts. This is a fight that “Bud” is supporting “Boots” to win.

“What’s better than being Undisputed? Being Undisputed twice. What’s better than being Undisputed twice? Being Undisputed 3 times at three different weights. Now argue with your mom.”

Crawford clearly sees it differently. His argument is straightforward. Becoming unchallenged once is infrequent. Doing this twice puts the athlete in unique company. Doing this three times in three divisions gives him a resume that doesn’t require much defense.

That was Crawford’s response to anyone who questioned the timing of his departure.

Some fans believe Crawford left at the perfect time, before Ennis became more in demand and before top super middleweights started calling for him. Ennis is just a part of it. Crawford’s retirement removed him from the ranks of contenders who would force these fights next.

While Crawford points to his three sets of belts as proof of greatness, a vocal segment of the boxing world sees these titles as shields rather than trophies.

The argument is that being unchallenged today is as much about promotional maneuvers and sanctioning body politics as it is about being the best. To these fans, Crawford’s departure looks like a calculated retreat. By leaving now, he avoids the hungry Jaron “Boots” Ennis and the group of talented 168 fighters that Alvarez ignored for years.

Crawford was allowed to fight for Canelo’s undisputed championship at 168 without facing any of the 168-year-old fighters: Osleys Iglesias, Christian Mbilli, Lester Martinez, Diego Pacheco and Hamzah Sheeraz.

Much of fan frustration stems from “skip the queue” culture. Fans say superstars can compete in title fights without facing established challengers who competed in mandatory positions. When Crawford defeated Canelo, he took the throne, but he didn’t necessarily clear the room.

Muhammad Ali is considered by many to be the greatest heavyweight of all time and arguably the greatest fighter of all time, but in the eyes of another pound-for-pound legend, Floyd Mayweather, there is another recent heavyweight who would defeat “The Greatest.”

Ali suffered five defeats in his iconic career, with three of them coming in his last four contests when his best form was well behind him; losing to Leon Spinks, Larry Holmes and then Trevor Berbick.

His other two shortcomings came at the hands of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, both of whom he avenged twice in his trilogies, which is one of the many reasons why Ali is considered the best heavyweight operator in history.

In addition to Ali, the other standout candidate for the title is Joe Louis, who holds the record for the longest reign in the history of the division – holding the heavyweight title for almost 12 years and making 25 consecutive title defenses.

However, Mayweather said that by participating in the premier “Winner Stays On” match, which features the best heavyweights of all time, Daily mail box that he believes first-rate Lennox Lewis would beat Ali.

Like Ali before his last two fights, Lewis has defeated every opponent in his career, winning rematches against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, who shockingly knocked him out to become one of five three-time heavyweight champions.

Lewis became the undisputed champion during his career before retiring in the early 2000s, also defeating the likes of Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson.