Terence Crawford wins Fighter of the Year ESPY ahead of Justin Gaethje

Terence Crawford has been named the 2025 Fighter of the Year at the ESPY Awards, edging out Justin Gaethje in a closely watched vote.

What happened at the ESPYs?

On 15 July 2025, Terence Crawford was crowned Fighter of the Year at the ESPY Awards in Las Vegas. The decision came down to a narrow margin, with Crawford narrowly defeating Justin Gaethje, who finished second. The result was announced live during the nationally televised ceremony, broadcast on ESPN.

Why it matters for Terence Crawford

The award caps a standout year for Crawford, who defended his undisputed welterweight title twice in 2024 and remained unbeaten across all divisions. His resume now includes wins over Errol Spence Jr. and a unification victory over Brian Castano. The ESPY recognition adds a mainstream accolade to a career already packed with boxing’s highest honors.

Gaethje, a fan favorite for his relentless style, had been the betting favorite going into the vote. But Crawford’s 2024 campaign-marked by dominant performances and a move up to welterweight-secured the top spot. The rivalry between the two has fueled interest in a potential superfight, though no deal has been finalized.

What comes next for Crawford?

Crawford is expected to pursue another high-profile welterweight defense in late 2025 or early 2026. Top contenders like Jaron Ennis and David Avanesyan have been floated as possible opponents. His promoter, Top Rank, has also hinted at a potential crossover into pay-per-view mega-events to maximize exposure.

The ESPY win could boost Crawford’s leverage in negotiations. It also reinforces his status as the pound-for-pound best active fighter, a title he’s held in multiple years. For now, the focus stays on the ring-where Crawford has always delivered.