Terence Crawford Stripped of WBC Title Over Unpaid Fees, Opening Door for Hamzah Sheeraz

In a surprising turn of events, Terence Crawford, one of boxing’s brightest stars, has been stripped of his World Boxing Council (WBC) super-middleweight title due to a dispute over unpaid sanctioning fees. The decision, announced on Wednesday, leaves the title vacant and paves the way for Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz to fight for the prestigious belt in what promises to be a pivotal matchup in the coming months.

The Scandal: Unpaid Fees and Title Vacated

Crawford’s reign as the undisputed super-middleweight champion was already a momentous achievement, capped by his shocking victory over Canelo Álvarez in Las Vegas just three months ago. The Nebraskan boxer’s dominance in the 168lb division had seen him ascend to the pinnacle of the sport, but the WBC’s ruling has now upended his short-lived reign.

The WBC claims that Crawford failed to pay the required sanctioning fees for his bouts, including the historic fight against Álvarez and another in 2024. Despite multiple attempts to contact him and his team, the organization says it never received the payments, which are a standard requirement for fighters competing for a title. According to WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán, the sanctioning fee for Crawford’s Álvarez fight was reduced from the standard 3% to just 0.6% due to the reported $50 million purse, which still amounted to roughly $300,000.

However, despite the adjusted fee and the organization’s efforts to facilitate a resolution, Crawford’s apparent disregard for the payments led to his title being stripped.

The Fallout: Hamzah Sheeraz and Christian Mbilli Eye the Vacant Title

With the WBC belt now vacant, the focus shifts to the interim champion, Christian Mbilli, and Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz. The WBC has mandated that the two fighters face off for the vacant title, setting the stage for what could be one of the most significant bouts in the super-middleweight division in the first half of next year.

For Sheeraz, the opportunity is the culmination of years of hard work and promise. The 26-year-old from Ilford, England, made an explosive entrance to the 168lb division in July when he decisively defeated Edgar Berlanga at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. His victory over the previously unbeaten Berlanga was a statement performance, marking Sheeraz as one of boxing’s rising stars.

Mbilli, a 30-0 fighter from Montreal with Cameroonian roots, is no stranger to high-pressure situations. Known for his relentless, high-volume approach, Mbilli will provide a tough test for Sheeraz, who enjoys physical advantages over the French-Canadian. At 6ft 3in, Sheeraz towers over Mbilli, who stands at 5ft 11in, with a reach advantage of 3 inches. The bout, though still awaiting formal scheduling, promises to be an exciting clash of styles with a world title on the line.

Crawford’s Career Under Scrutiny

Crawford’s sudden fall from grace reflects the complex, often controversial nature of sanctioning fees in boxing. The WBC, like other boxing bodies such as the WBA, IBF, and WBO, takes a percentage of a fighter’s purse as a fee for the privilege of competing for a world title. These fees, typically around 3%, have long been criticized for their lack of transparency and for the outsized power wielded by sanctioning organizations in a sport with few regulatory checks.

Crawford’s case is further complicated by his status as a fighter who achieved the rare feat of becoming undisputed in multiple weight classes. His victory over Canelo Álvarez in May 2024 solidified his place as one of boxing’s all-time greats, but the controversy surrounding his failure to settle the fees raises questions about the management of his business affairs. His handling of the situation has put a dent in his legacy, with some questioning whether the missed payments were an oversight or a deliberate move.

Despite the setback, Crawford still holds onto his WBO, IBF, and WBA titles, and he has hinted at possibly moving back down to middleweight for future bouts. However, the stripped WBC title leaves an asterisk on his legacy as a unified champion, at least for now.

The Broader Context: Boxing’s Sanctioning Fees and Accountability

The issue of sanctioning fees is not new to boxing fans. Critics argue that these fees, which can amount to millions of dollars for top-tier fighters, are often used to exert control over the sport’s most successful athletes. Sanctioning organizations like the WBC have long been accused of prioritizing financial gain over the best interests of fighters and the sport itself, leading to calls for greater oversight and transparency in the way these bodies operate.

Crawford’s situation is a case in point. Despite being one of boxing’s highest-paid athletes and achieving historic success, his failure to settle the sanctioning fees has caused a major rift with the WBC and opened the door for younger fighters like Sheeraz and Mbilli to stake their claim at the top.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Terence Crawford and the Super-Middleweight Division

Crawford’s absence from the WBC ranks may be a blow to his career, but his legacy as an undisputed champion at 168lb remains intact. Whether he chooses to stay at super-middleweight or drop back down to middleweight, the 38-year-old remains one of the most dangerous fighters in the world.

For Sheeraz, the opportunity to fight for the WBC title represents the culmination of years of hard work and a significant step toward boxing superstardom. His clash with Mbilli will be one of the most anticipated fights in the coming months, with the vacant WBC title hanging in the balance.

As for Crawford, his reign as undisputed champion may have been short-lived, but the controversy surrounding his stripped title will only add to the intrigue surrounding his next moves in the ring.