Terence Crawford has criticized WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman following the stripping of his WBC super-middleweight title. Crawford, known as ‘Bud,’ achieved undisputed 168lb champion status by defeating Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas, making him the first male fighter in the modern era to hold undisputed titles in three weight divisions. However, his reign as the super-middleweight champion was abruptly ended when Sulaiman announced that Crawford had been stripped of his green and gold belt due to unpaid sanctioning fees.
Responding to the decision, Crawford expressed his discontent, stating that he was not willing to pay the requested fees to the WBC. He emphasized the importance of The Ring belt over the WBC’s green belt, labeling the latter as merely a trophy. Crawford criticized the financial burden placed on fighters to cover expenses for sanctioning bodies, questioning the fairness of the system.
Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are set to battle in a heavyweight clash in Miami on December 19, with the fight airing live on Netflix. Fans can access the fight for free by subscribing to Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle, the lowest price offer for Sky TV.
Sulaiman defended the WBC’s actions, describing Crawford’s failure to pay the fees as a significant disappointment. He highlighted the role of the WBC in facilitating lucrative fights like Crawford’s bout with Canelo Alvarez, emphasizing the financial opportunities created for fighters and their families. Despite the setback, Sulaiman affirmed that boxing is a collective effort involving various organizations, promoters, and fighters, with the championship title now declared vacant.
In response to Crawford’s title being vacated, the WBC swiftly arranged a title fight between Hamzah Sheeraz and Christian Mbilli. Mbilli, who previously held the interim title, secured a draw in his recent bout, while Sheeraz, a British boxer, last fought in July with an impressive knockout victory.