Nobody wants to see their favorite boxer hang up the gloves for good. But nobody can stop the inevitable from happening either. This is especially evident, as some of the biggest names in the sport are teetering on the verge of retirement, as they close in on their 40s by the end of 2024. While some retirements are planned, others come as a surprise. 

Take the most avoided man in boxing, Gennady Golovkin, for example. He never officially announced his exit from the sport after his most recent loss to Canelo Alvarez. But today, he is the president of the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan, significantly slashing the chances of his return to the ring. Something similar is afoot for a lot of active boxers today!

Gervonta Davis

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis has stirred up speculation about his future in boxing, revealing plans to retire after 2025. Not so long ago, during a press conference for his WBA lightweight title defense, Davis expressed his frustration with the sport, saying, “After next year, I’m out of it. Yeah, out of this sport… S**t’s trash. This s**t is trash, garbage. Fed up. I’m fed up with the whole s**t.” His comments suggest that he is growing disillusioned with the demands and pressures of boxing, desiring a life away from the spotlight.

Davis emphasized that he wants to “make money and stay out the way,” aiming for a quieter existence. Despite his decision to retire, Davis plans to fight in at least three more bouts before hanging up his gloves. This includes his championship defense against Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1 at the Barclays Center, which will likely be one of his final appearances in the ring.

Adding to his growing discontent with the sport, the Baltimore native recently also claimed that the Roach fight is canceled. However, no official announcement has been made, and it appears that the fight might go ahead as planned on March 1st. 

Interestingly, when asked about a potential showdown with WBC Lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, Davis dismissed the idea, questioning Stevenson’s impact on the sport. “What has he done? He hasn’t done nothing,” Davis remarked, further showing his lack of interest in future high-profile matchups.

Terence Crawford

Terence Crawford’s future in boxing is rife with uncertainty. Since defeating Israil Madrimov, ‘Bud’ has been rallying for a fight against Canelo Alvarez, but to no avail. His Excellency Turki Alalshikh tried his best to set up the fight, but it eventually fell apart. The Saudi Royal then spoke about pitting Crawford against Vergil Ortiz Jr.

However, Ortiz’s trainer Robert Garcia shared his thoughts, stating that Crawford, having accomplished so much in his career, doesn’t feel the need to prove anything further. “Crawford is a smart man. He already accomplished; he already did a lot,” Garcia told FightHype, emphasizing that Crawford doesn’t need to challenge himself against younger fighters like Vergil Ortiz.

Garcia believes that Crawford’s focus is solely on a massive showdown with Canelo Alvarez, suggesting that if that fight doesn’t come to fruition, Crawford may walk away from the sport. “I’ve talked to him personally, and my feelings are that he wants that big fight against Canelo, and if he doesn’t get that, he may never fight again,” Garcia added.

This sentiment is echoed by Saudi Royal Turki Alalshikh, who also believes Crawford’s only goal is to face Canelo. “I don’t think Crawford will fight anyone except Canelo,” Alalshikh stated. With Crawford’s future uncertain, it all seems to hinge on the elusive Canelo matchup, and as we have learned by now Canelo is not in the mood.

Canelo Alvarez

Speaking of Canelo Alvarez, the Mexican boxing icon is nearing retirement as well. Canelo Alvarez, one of boxing’s all-time greats, has hinted at his retirement plans, sparking speculation about the future of his illustrious career. With 62 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, the Mexican superstar has dominated multiple weight classes and etched his name into boxing history.

However, the 34-year-old has previously revealed that his time in the ring is nearing its end. “I think I [am] at least have four more years in me, maybe five,” Canelo shared on The Breakfast Club in August 2023. Having turned professional at 15, he added, “That is almost 18 years of fighting professionally. I always said I would retire when I was 36 or 37, around that age.”

This puts Canelo Alvarez just three odd years away from his dream retirement age, but with the kind of fights he has been taking, it may come even sooner. “Since I was 28-29 years old, I have felt in my best shape,” he told former soccer star Hugo Sánchez. But he’s clear about his priorities. “I have always said that at 37 years of age, it is a good age to enjoy what I have achieved with my family.”

Vasyl Lomachenko

Vasyl Lomachenko, the Ukrainian boxing legend and three-weight world champion, is contemplating his future in the sport. Following his emphatic victory over George Kambosos in May, where he reclaimed the IBF lightweight title, Lomachenko has taken time away from the ring to focus on personal priorities.

Top Rank honcho Bob Arum shared insights into Lomachenko’s current situation. “He told me he needed to return to Ukraine to be with his children, who are in school amidst the ongoing bombings,” Arum explained. “At that time, he felt it wasn’t appropriate to discuss his next fight.”

Lomachenko set a deadline of January 1, 2025, to decide whether to continue his illustrious career. Arum, respecting the fighter’s need for space, stated, “I don’t want to disturb him, I don’t want to rush him. He’s been terrific.” It’s worth noting there hasn’t been an update on the matter as of the time of writing.

However, Arum hinted at a sense of closure during their last interaction. “I remember just outside the restaurant taking a photograph with him and his father and it was almost like good bye photograph. Maybe that was just the case,” he noted. The boxing world eagerly awaits Lomachenko’s decision, which could mark the end of an era for one of the sport’s greatest talents. 

Errol Spence Jr.

Errol Spence Jr. hasn’t been having the best time in boxing in recent years. Following his loss to Terence Crawford in 2023, the former world champion hasn’t fought yet. There have been talks of a fight between him and Sebastian Fundora, but with nothing on paper, his career seems to be stalling endlessly. 

On top of that, Spence has suffered some injuries, as the world continues to await his return to the ring. Plus, the cherry on top is that ‘The Truth’ has previously alluded to retirement after the fight against Fundora. In an X post previously, Spence wrote, “Might be last time you see me.” This could mean if he suffers a loss to Fundora, Spence’s career is over. 

That being said, these were the biggest names who could potentially call it quits in 2025 or in the next couple of years at best. Hopefully, though, the inevitable would come after the fights fans have been craving to see them in. Who would you be heartbroken to see exit the sport?