Terence Crawford's reign as an undisputed champion has come to an abrupt end. The 38-year-old, who became a three-weight champion in September after a dominant win over Canelo Alvarez, now holds only three of the four super-middleweight titles. This sudden change has sparked excitement and speculation within the boxing world.
The controversy began when the WBC stripped Crawford of his super-middleweight belt due to non-payment of sanctioning fees for his last two fights. This decision was made at the WBC convention in Thailand, where President Mauricio Sulaiman revealed that Crawford had been in contact with the organization since September and had failed to pay the required fees. The situation has left Crawford's future uncertain, as he now faces a crucial decision regarding his next move.
This development opens up an opportunity for a new champion to emerge, and the WBC has taken swift action. They have ordered interim belt-holder Christian Mbilli to face the No.2 contender, Hamzah Sheeraz, for the full title. The upcoming Mbilli-Sheeraz fight promises an exciting showdown, pitting the all-action Frenchman against the tall, heavy-handed Brit who previously defeated Edgar Berlanga. The winner of this bout will become the mandatory challenger, setting the stage for a potential title unification.
The boxing community is abuzz with the prospect of a new era in super-middleweight, and the impact of Crawford's removal from the undisputed champion status will be closely watched. Will Crawford make a comeback or explore new weight divisions? Only time will tell, but the WBC's decision has undoubtedly shaken up the rankings and created a thrilling narrative for fans to follow.
