In a shocking turn of events that has left the boxing world reeling, Terence Crawford has been stripped of his WBC super-middleweight title over a disputed $300,000 fee, paving the way for Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz to step into the spotlight. But here’s where it gets controversial: was this a simple oversight by Crawford, or a deliberate snub of the WBC’s authority? Let’s dive in.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) announced on Wednesday that it had removed Crawford as its champion, just three months after he stunned the world by defeating Canelo Álvarez in Las Vegas to become the undisputed king at 168 pounds. According to the WBC, Crawford failed to pay the required sanctioning fees from that historic bout and his previous fight in 2024, despite repeated attempts to contact him and his team. This decision has now set the stage for Sheeraz, who will face interim champion Christian Mbilli for the vacant title.
Sheeraz, a 26-year-old powerhouse from Ilford, burst onto the scene in July with a jaw-dropping knockout of Edgar Berlanga at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. A victory over Mbilli would crown him as Britain’s newest world champion in one of boxing’s most prestigious divisions. But don’t let the excitement overshadow the bigger question: Are sanctioning fees a necessary evil, or do they give organizations like the WBC too much power?
Sanctioning bodies—the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO—charge fighters a percentage of their purse (typically around 3%) to compete for their titles. Critics argue that these fees are exorbitant and that these organizations operate with minimal oversight, wielding disproportionate influence over fighters’ careers. In Crawford’s case, the WBC claims it reduced his fee from 3% to 0.6% due to his reported $50 million purse, with plans to donate most of the $300,000 to a charity supporting retired fighters. Yet, Crawford reportedly ignored all communication about the payment.
“It’s very unfortunate,” said WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán, calling Crawford’s lack of response “a slap in the face.” But here’s the part most people miss: Crawford hasn’t publicly commented, leaving us to wonder whether this was a deliberate choice or just a superstar with too many priorities. What’s undeniable is that his reign as undisputed champion has ended almost as abruptly as it began. While he still holds the WBO, IBF, and WBA belts, rumors suggest he might drop back to middleweight.
For Sheeraz, the drama behind the scenes is secondary to the opportunity ahead. Mbilli, an undefeated French-Cameroonian fighter based in Montreal, is known for his high-pressure style. Meanwhile, Sheeraz’s towering 6’3” frame and 6½-inch height advantage could be game-changers. Their showdown, yet to be scheduled, is poised to be one of the biggest British fights of next year.
Crawford’s legacy, however, remains unparalleled. He’s the first fighter in the four-belt era to unify titles in three divisions, scaling weight classes with dominance. His 12-round unanimous decision over Álvarez in front of 70,482 fans in Las Vegas cemented his status as a five-weight champion—a feat unmatched in modern boxing. Yet, just two weeks after that career-defining win, Crawford found himself in another headline-grabbing moment: a contentious police stop in his hometown of Omaha, where officers ordered him out of his car at gunpoint. The incident sparked an internal investigation and raised questions about trust between law enforcement and the community.
So, what do you think? Is the WBC justified in stripping Crawford of his title, or is this a case of an organization overstepping its bounds? And does Sheeraz have what it takes to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
