Terence Crawford Stripped of WBC Title
In a stunning turn of events, Terence Crawford, who recently held the WBC super middleweight championship, has been stripped of his title following a dispute concerning unpaid sanctioning fees. Throughout his brief reign of just 81 days, Crawford’s tenure was officially concluded during the WBC’s annual convention in Bangkok, Thailand, early Wednesday morning.
Details of the Dispute
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman provided insight into the matter, citing that Crawford failed to meet financial obligations related to his bouts against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in September and Israil Madrimov in August 2024. “Champion Crawford allegedly earned $50 million for that fight against Alvarez. In light of this event’s significance, the WBC adjusted its rules to limit the compensatory fee from the anticipated 3% [$1.5 million] down to just 0.6% [$300,000],” Sulaiman elaborated.
Furthermore, the WBC made several attempts to reach out to Crawford, including alerts conveyed to his manager and legal team. “Regrettably, we did not receive any acknowledgment or response from Crawford or his representatives,” Sulaiman stated. Because of the extensive efforts to communicate this issue and the lack of follow-up from Crawford, the decision was made to declare the WBC super middleweight title vacant effective immediately.
Crawford’s Legacy and Future
Crawford, ranked as No. 1 pound-for-pound by Uncrowned, achieved a historic milestone when he claimed the undisputed super middleweight title, making him the first male boxer to win all four major titles across three different weight classes. However, his hold on the division has now diminished, although discussions regarding a potential rematch with Alvarez remain possible.
Impact on the Super Middleweight Division
In the wake of Crawford’s title vacancy, the WBC has directed its interim champion, Christian Mbilli, to contest the No. 2 contender Hamzah Sheeraz for the now-available super middleweight championship. Mbilli, who boasts a record of 29 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw with 24 knockouts, has been linked to a prospective match against Jaime Munguia set for early 2026. He notably retained his interim title with a split draw over Lester Martinez during the undercard of the Alvarez-Crawford fight.
The WBC has also stipulated that the victor of the Mbilli versus Sheeraz fight – with Sheeraz currently holding a record of 22 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, including a knockout victory over Edgar Berlanga – must subsequently defend against Martinez. This unfolding situation marks a significant shift in the super middleweight landscape, raising anticipation for the forthcoming bouts in this competitive division.
