Terence Crawford Stripped of WBC Super Middleweight Title in Sanctioning Fee Dispute

Crawford Loses Undisputed Status After Historic Victory

Terence Crawford was formally stripped of his WBC World Super Middleweight title on December 3, 2025, bringing an abrupt end to one of boxing’s most impressive recent achievements. In 2025, Crawford defeated Canelo Álvarez by unanimous decision to capture the undisputed super middleweight championship, becoming one of only six male boxers in history to win world championships in five divisions.

The Sanctioning Fee Controversy

The WBC stripped Crawford of his super middleweight world title for failing to pay their sanctioning fees. The WBC reduced their standard sanctioning fees from 3% of his reported $50M purse to only 0.6%, but Crawford failed to pay for both his fight against Canelo Álvarez and his previous bout with Israil Madrimov. The WBC sent multiple communications to Champion Crawford, his manager, and his legal counsel, but did not receive an acknowledgment of receipt nor any response.

Crawford’s Fiery Response

The Omaha native didn’t take the decision quietly. Crawford responded with a furious nine-minute rant on Instagram Live. In his social media statement, Crawford questioned the value of the WBC belt and challenged the organization’s fee structure, expressing his frustration with what he perceives as excessive charges from sanctioning bodies.

What This Means for Boxing’s Elite

The decision ends his reign as undisputed champion at 168lbs, leaving him with the remaining three belts. Crawford is recognized as the world’s top pound-for-pound boxer by The Ring magazine since September 2025. Despite losing the WBC belt, Crawford remains one of boxing’s most accomplished champions, though his future plans remain unclear. The now-vacant WBC title is set to be contested by interim champion Christian Mbilli and leading contender Hamzah Sheeraz.

This controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between elite boxers and sanctioning bodies over mandatory fees, raising questions about the financial obligations champions face beyond their in-ring performances. For Crawford, this setback comes at a time when he had cemented his legacy as one of boxing’s all-time greats.