Terence Crawford has criticized WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman after losing his WBC super-middleweight title. Crawford achieved the undisputed 168lb champion status with a significant win over Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas, making history as the first male fighter to hold undisputed titles in three weight divisions. However, Sulaiman confirmed that Crawford was stripped of his super-middleweight title due to unpaid sanctioning fees.
In response to the decision, Crawford expressed his frustration, questioning the WBC’s actions regarding the fees. He emphasized the importance of The Ring belt over the WBC belt and criticized the financial burden placed on fighters for sanctioning bodies’ expenses.
The dispute escalated as Sulaiman referred to Crawford’s refusal to pay the fees as a disrespectful act, highlighting the WBC’s role in facilitating high-stakes boxing events. Subsequently, the WBC declared the super-middleweight title vacant and scheduled a fight between Hamzah Sheeraz and Christian Mbilli for the vacant championship.
In other boxing news, Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are set to compete in a heavyweight clash in Miami on December 19. The fight will be available for streaming on Netflix as part of Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle. This event marks a significant moment in the boxing world, showcasing top talent and exciting matchups for fans worldwide.