Terence “Bud” Crawford: Omaha’s Boxing Champion
Terence “Bud” Crawford
Legacy Maker | Omaha, Nebraska
Story by Aniya Porter
Terence Allan “Bud” Crawford (born September 28, 1987) retired as one of the most accomplished and technically gifted fighters of his era, an undefeated professional boxer whose discipline, versatility, and ring intelligence carried him from North Omaha to global championship status.
Crawford graduated from Bryan High School and was later inducted into the Omaha Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame. Growing up in a neighborhood shaped by poverty and street violence, Crawford has spoken openly about adversity during his youth, including the tough-love approach of his mother, Debbie, who has said she pushed him to develop resilience in a difficult environment. Those early years forged the focus and girth that would define his career.
Before turning professional in 2008, Crawford built a strong amateur resume, compiling a record of approximately 58-12 across roughly 70 bouts and winning national-level amateur tournaments. His technical skill, southpaw stance and uncommon ability to switch stances mid-fight quickly distinguished him.
In September 2008, at age 20, Crawford survived being shot in the head in Omaha when a bullet pierced his vehicle and struck his skull without penetrating his brain. He drove himself to the hospital, required stitches, and returned to training within two months, a moment he later described as transformative in solidifying his purpose.
Crawford competed professionally from 2008 to 2025, finishing with a 42-0 record, including 31 knockouts. Over his career, he captured world titles in five weight classes: lightweight, light welterweight (junior welterweight), welterweight, junior middleweight, and super middleweight.
In August 2017, Crawford became the undisputed light welterweight champion, unifying the WBA, WBC, IFB, and WBO titles. He later achieved undisputed status at welterweight, becoming the first male boxer in the modern four-belt era to become undisputed champion in two weight classes. In September 2025, he added a historic third undisputed championship at super middleweight, defeating Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas before a crowd of more than 70,000 fans.
Standing approximately 5-foot-8 with a reach near 75 inches, Crawford was known for his adaptability, composure, and calculated aggression. Fighting primarily as a southpaw, while frequently switching stances, he dismantled opponents with precision rather than spectacle.
Crawford’s achievements place him among the rare fighters to retire undefeated while collecting championships across multiple divisions. His career bridged eras and reasserted Omaha as a producer of world-class athletes.
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