Undisputed champion Terence Crawford is pushing back hard after the World Boxing Council (WBC) stripped him of its 168-lb title, a move announced by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman. The decision removes one of the four major belts Crawford claimed after defeating Canelo Álvarez, though his next steps in the division remain unclear.
Crawford took to Instagram to air his frustration, criticizing both the sanctioning fees and what he described as preferential treatment within the organization. According to Sulaiman, the WBC withdrew the belt after Crawford failed to pay roughly $300,000 plus additional sanctioning fees tied to the Canelo bout. Crawford rejected that explanation outright.
“I saw Mauricio had a lot to say about me not paying him $300,000, plus another $100,000 something for sanctioning fees,” Crawford said. “Who do you think I am? I ain’t paying your ass nothing… What makes you better than the other sanctioning bodies?”
Crawford accused the WBC of demanding more than other organizations and dismissed the belt’s significance, calling it “a trophy anyway.” He went further, questioning why fighters shoulder the financial burden for sanctioning bodies’ travel and hospitality expenses. “I’m the one putting my life on the line… You should be paying me,” he said.
The Omaha star also suggested Sulaiman favored Canelo and resented Crawford’s victory over him. “Everybody know you was going for Canelo. You was mad that I beat him,” Crawford said, adding that instead of criticism, “you should’ve been grateful that I was rocking the belt around as your champion.”
Terence Crawford at the press conference before the Omaha September 2025 parade. Photo by Erika Macías.
Despite the WBC ruling, Crawford insisted the organization’s decision does not affect his standing. He reaffirmed that The Ring championship is the only belt he values and maintained his claim as undisputed champion at 168 pounds. “I been stripped before,” he said. “It doesn’t matter — I’m still considered the undisputed champion.”
For its part, the WBC has defended its actions. Officials say they lowered Crawford’s required fee and attempted multiple times to contact his team. With no resolution, the council proceeded to declare the title vacant and ordered Christian Mbilli vs. Hamzah Sheeraz to compete for the now-open super-middleweight championship.
Crawford closed his remarks by asserting that his legacy is “already set” and remains untouched by the WBC’s decision. “I’m still a legend,” he said.
Stay informed about what’s happening in your community. Your source for stories that inspire — visit HolaNebraska.org for news, culture, and community updates across Nebraska!