Terence Crawford has publicly criticized WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman after losing his WBC super-middleweight title due to unpaid fees. Crawford, who made history by becoming the undisputed 168lb champion with a notable victory over Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas, was stripped of his title by Sulaiman for not paying the required sanctioning fees.
In response to the decision, Crawford expressed his frustration, stating that he refused to pay the fees and questioned the WBC’s perceived superiority over other boxing organizations. He emphasized that the real recognition comes from The Ring belt, not the WBC’s green and gold belt, which he considers merely a trophy. Crawford criticized the financial burden placed on fighters to fund the lavish lifestyle of sanctioning bodies, highlighting the unfairness of the system.
Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are set to compete in a heavyweight clash in Miami on December 19, which will be broadcast live on Netflix. The fight can be accessed for free through Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle, representing the lowest price offered for Sky TV.
Sulaiman defended the WBC’s decision, describing Crawford’s non-payment of fees as disrespectful, considering the role the organization played in facilitating lucrative fights like Crawford vs. Canelo. Despite the setback, the WBC swiftly announced a vacant title fight between Hamzah Sheeraz and Christian Mbilli to determine the new champion, following Crawford’s title forfeiture.
The ongoing developments in the boxing world highlight the complex relationships between fighters, sanctioning bodies, and the pursuit of championship titles, underscoring the financial and administrative challenges faced by athletes in the sport.