Terence Crawford, the retired former undisputed tremendous middleweight champion, signed a contract on Thursday to launch a brand new boxing promotion based mostly in Japan, partnering with Nagoya fitness center operator Gen Matsuda and Japanese fight sports activities star Ren Hiramoto. Footage of the signing was shared throughout social media, together with a clip posted by the account @BoxingMassacre exhibiting Crawford seated alongside Matsuda at a press desk in Japan.
The 38-year-old from Omaha introduced his retirement from competitors in December 2025, three months after his unanimous resolution win over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at Allegiant Stadium. He completed his profession 42-0 with 31 knockouts and have become the primary male boxer to win undisputed titles in three weight lessons, as CNN reported on the time of his retirement.
The Partnership
Gen Matsuda operates the Matsuda Boxing Health club in Nagoya and promotes the “SOUL FIGHTING” sequence of playing cards at Nagoya Kinjofuto Enviornment. The fitness center’s latest April 5, 2026 present featured Aoi Murata in opposition to Seonghwa Bae over eight rounds. Different Matsuda fitness center boxers embody Otoya Inuzuka and Rento Miyazawa.
Ren Hiramoto, 27, is a featherweight competitor with Rizin FF. The previous Ok-1 light-weight event runner-up has constructed a large profile in Japanese fight sports activities throughout kickboxing and combined martial arts. He was scheduled to headline RIZIN.53 in opposition to Kouzi at Glion Enviornment Kobe on Might 10, 2026.
Crawford and Hiramoto had been seen collectively publicly earlier this month, together with a shadow-boxing face-off in Japan that drew consideration from followers on either side of the Pacific.
What the Enterprise Is Aiming For
In response to remarks Crawford made on the press convention asserting the enterprise, the promotion will deal with bringing American boxers to Japan and rising the nation’s profile within the international boxing market. Crawford additionally mentioned he believes Naoya Inoue, Japan’s pound-for-pound primary, may win a world title at a fifth weight class up at featherweight.
Japan’s business standing within the sport has risen sharply in latest months. The Naoya Inoue versus Junto Nakatani undisputed tremendous bantamweight unification, held earlier this 12 months, produced one of many largest gates in boxing historical past.
Crawford’s transfer into promotion arrives roughly 5 months after his retirement. The Japan Instances reported in December that Crawford framed his retirement as stepping away from competitors somewhat than from the game itself, telling supporters in his announcement video, “I’m stepping away from competitors, not as a result of I’m carried out preventing, however as a result of I’ve gained a distinct sort of battle.”
The Thursday signing ceremony was attended by Matsuda and Hiramoto. A proper launch date, broadcast companion, and inaugural card for the brand new promotion haven’t but been publicly introduced.
