Terence Crawford’s reign as an undisputed champion has come to an abrupt and controversial end, leaving the boxing world buzzing with questions. But here's where it gets controversial... Just months after securing his third undisputed title across three weight classes—welterweight in 2023, super-lightweight in 2017, and most recently super-middleweight in September with a dominant win over Canelo Alvarez—Crawford has been stripped of his WBC super-middleweight belt. The reason? Alleged non-payment of sanctioning fees, a move that has sparked debate among fans and insiders alike.
At the heart of this drama is the WBC’s decision, announced during their convention in Thailand (November 30 to December 5), to remove Crawford’s title. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman revealed that Crawford had failed to pay fees for his last two fights and had not communicated with the organization since September. And this is the part most people miss... While Crawford’s future plans—whether he stays at 168 lbs or drops to middleweight, as rumored—remain unclear, this development could significantly impact his next steps. Now, he holds only three of the four super-middleweight titles, raising questions about his undisputed status.
The fallout from this decision has opened the door for a new champion, and the spotlight is now on two rising stars: Christian Mbilli, the interim belt-holder, and Hamzah Sheeraz, the No. 2 contender. The WBC has ordered them to face off for the full title, setting the stage for a potentially explosive matchup. Mbilli, the all-action Frenchman, retained his interim title via a draw with Lester Martinez in September, while Sheeraz, the towering British powerhouse, dismantled Edgar Berlanga in his last bout. But here’s the kicker... Martinez, who pushed Mbilli to the limit, is now the mandatory challenger for the winner, adding another layer of intrigue to this unfolding saga.
This shakeup not only reshapes the super-middleweight division but also invites a bold question: Is the WBC’s decision fair, or is Crawford being unfairly penalized? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below. As the boxing world watches closely, one thing is certain—the road to the next undisputed champion just got a whole lot more interesting.
