In a stunning turn of events, American boxing star Terence "Bud" Crawford has been stripped of his WBC super middleweight world title, abruptly ending his reign as the division's undisputed champion. The decision comes just months after Crawford secured a historic points victory over the legendary Canelo Alvarez in September 2025.
Why the WBC Took Action
The World Boxing Council (WBC) made the move after Crawford allegedly failed to pay required sanctioning fees for his last two fights. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman stated that the fighter snubbed the organisation of $300,000. This sum is reported to be a small fraction of the $50 million purse Crawford earned for the Alvarez bout.
This is not an isolated incident for the pound-for-pound great. Shortly after his triumph over Canelo, Crawford was also stripped of his WBA super welterweight title. That decision followed his confirmation to the WBA that he had no intention of returning to the 154lb weight division.
Opportunity Knocks for British Contender
With Crawford's undisputed status now abolished, the WBC has moved swiftly to fill the vacancy. The sanctioning body has ordered a fight between British boxer Hamzah Sheeraz and Christian Mbilli to crown a new champion.
This mandate presents a massive opportunity for Sheeraz. His previous world title challenge against Carlos Adames ended in a draw. He earned this fresh shot by moving up to super middleweight and scoring a devastating knockout victory over Edgar Berlanga.
What's Next for Terence Crawford?
The future for the 37-year-old Crawford is now shrouded in uncertainty. Plans for a potential super-fight against middleweight king Janibek Alimkhanuly appear to have been derailed. Reports emerged that Alimkhanuly tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, allegations he has denied while requesting a retest.
Crawford's status as one of boxing's elite talents remains, but his immediate path back to a world championship is unclear following this significant administrative and financial setback.
