WBC Strips Crawford of Super Middleweight Title
Terence Crawford, the undefeated boxing sensation, received a significant setback today when the World Boxing Council (WBC) decided to strip him of his super middleweight title. This decision came after Crawford failed to pay the required $300,000 sanctioning fee, which was due 81 days after he captured the belt on September 13th. Despite being given multiple opportunities and even a reduced fee, Crawford chose not to make the payment, leading the WBC to run out of patience and ultimately revoke his title.
WBC’s Leniency and Ultimatums
The WBC had been quite lenient with Crawford, initially reducing the sanctioning fee from 3% to 0.6% of his massive $50 million purse from the “Fight of the Century” against Canelo Alvarez. This reduction was intended to provide Crawford with a more manageable financial obligation. However, despite repeated notifications and extensions, Crawford did not comply with the payment. The WBC’s patience finally wore thin, and today, at their annual convention in Bangkok, Thailand, the decision was made official by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.
Mbilli–Sheeraz Fight Ordered
With Crawford’s title stripped, the WBC has ordered a fight between interim 168-lb champion Christian Mbilli and the #2 contender, Hamzah Sheeraz, to determine the new champion. This bout adds a layer of complexity to the super middleweight division, as Mbilli and Sheeraz are both young, hard-hitting fighters known for their aggressive styles. The winner of this fight will not only claim the vacant WBC super middleweight title but also become a formidable force in the division.
Implications for Canelo Alvarez
The stripping of Crawford’s title has significant implications for Canelo Alvarez, the Mexican superstar who had expressed a keen interest in recapturing his undisputed super middleweight championship. With Crawford now out of the picture, Canelo would need to win three of his old belts to regain the undisputed status. However, the path to the WBC strap remains uncertain. The WBC has also made #4 contender Lester Martinez the mandatory challenger for the Mbilli-Sheeraz fight, complicating Canelo’s plans even further. Fighting the winner of the Mbilli-Sheeraz bout could prove to be a more challenging and risky proposition for Canelo than facing the aging, defensive-minded Crawford.
Crawford’s Financial Dilemma
Crawford’s decision not to pay the sanctioning fee raises questions about his financial management and strategic priorities. While the $300,000 fee is a significant amount, it is a small fraction of the $50 million purse he earned from his fight with Canelo. The WBC’s leniency in reducing the fee and extending the payment deadline suggests that there may have been other factors at play. Some speculate that Crawford’s focus may be shifting to other opportunities or that he is reevaluating his career goals. Regardless, the loss of the WBC title is a blow to Crawford’s status and could impact future negotiations and matchups.
Future of the Super Middleweight Division
The WBC’s decision to strip Crawford of his title and the subsequent ordering of the Mbilli-Sheeraz fight add a new dynamic to the super middleweight division. The young, up-and-coming fighters like Mbilli and Sheeraz bring fresh energy and excitement to the division, potentially reshaping the landscape. For established champions and contenders, the title landscape is now more fragmented, making the pursuit of undisputed championships even more challenging. As the boxing world awaits the outcome of the Mbilli-Sheeraz bout, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching to see how this shift in power dynamics unfolds.
