Bud, 38, became undisputed champion at 168lbs in September, sensationally dethroning Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, 35, to unite the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts.
But less than three months later, the WBC has ruled that Crawford had forfeited its title due to non-payment of the mandated 0.6 per cent fee of his reported $50million purse for the Alvarez victory, as well as refusing payment following his August win over Israil Madrimov, 30, at super-welterweight.
Announcing the decision in Bangkok, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman described Crawford’s refusal to pay as a “slap in the face” after the organisation had played a key role in negotiating and approving the historic Alvarez fight.
Speaking at the convention, he said: “The WBC was instrumental in making Crawford–Canelo. For making an event with multi-million dollars at stake.
“For both fighters’ life-changing money for their families and their next generations. We did many things, that ring that made news all over the world, made statues … just to receive a slap in the face, it is sad.”
Sulaiman insisted the sanctioning body would move forward despite the dispute.
He said: “The WBC and boxing is about everyone. Boxing is about any organisation, any promoter, any fighter. As long as we honour and we respect, we will go on.
“And then the next champion will be as good or better than the champion that had it. The championship is now vacant.”
Crawford has not yet commented publicly on the WBC’s ruling, but has previously criticised sanctioning fees and has hinted in interviews and social media posts that he will no longer prioritize “paying unnecessary bodies”.
Sources have suggested he may continue at super-middleweight in pursuit of further big-money fights, though his next steps are unclear.
With the title now officially vacant, the WBC has ordered interim champion Christian Mbilli, 30, to face Hamzah Sheeraz, 26, for the world title.
The organisation had originally mandated a rematch between Mbilli and Lester Martinez, 30, who fought to a draw on the Crawford–Alvarez undercard, but has now voted for The Legend Killer to face the winner instead.
The decision leaves the super-middleweight division wide open heading into 2026, with Mbilli, Sheeraz and Martinez now positioned to stake a claim for a belt last held by one of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite.
