BYE (FOR NOW?)

TERENCE CRAWFORD IS THE LATEST BOXER TO RETIRE EARLY. BUT THIS MIGHT STICK

- BY CHRIS MANNIX

WHEN HE announced his retirement in December, Terence Crawford broke boxing's unwritten rule: Never leave money on the table. Not that it's always a good idea. The history of the centuries-old sport is littered with examples of fighters who have hung around for one extra paycheck, often with unfortunate outcomes. Muhammad Ali getting battered by Trevor Berbick. Oscar De La Hoya being made to quit by Manny Pacquiao. Last summer, a 46-year-old Pacquiao made his return to the ring against Mario Barrios. The result was an uninspired draw.

And Crawford did leave money. A lot of money. Last September, he outpointed Canelo Álvarez to win the undisputed super middleweight championship. Jumping up two weight classes, Crawford took the fight to the naturally bigger Álvarez, surging in the later rounds to pull off a narrow decision. Rumors of a rematch swirled immediately afterward, with Crawford, backed by Saudi Arabian financier Turki Alalshikh, set to earn a mid-eight figure payday. Instead, Crawford walked away.