For boxing’s most exciting division, a major shake-up is underway. But it’s not within the ring. Tonight, at the Michelob Ultra Arena, Sebastian Fundora will face Chordale Booker. It’s a title defense where, unless a miracle intervenes, most don’t foresee any upset. It’s now in the hands of external developments to set change in motion.
Terence Crawford has reportedly confirmed a departure from 154 lbs. Last year he joined the weight class and fought a tightly contested duel with Israil Madrimov on a Riyadh Season card. Spoils of the war included the WBA title and WBO interim championship. But as most of the fans know, there’s a reason why he made the move. Since he became a two-division undisputed champion, a showdown with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez remained on Crawford’s radar. From mere talks, it’s now a reality. The two pound-for-pound boxers are scheduled for a September clash in Las Vegas. Given that he’s preparing for the biggest fight of his career, perhaps there’s no point in him staying back and letting the belt rust. Is it going to be a costly trade-off for the Nebraskan?
Terence Crawford’s WBO reign comes to an end
On social media, WBO president Gustavo Olivieri shared that ‘Terence Crawford will not be returning to the super-welterweight division and will relinquish his ‘interim’ belt.’ As an interim title holder, Crawford was the mandatory challenger to Sebastian Fundora’s WBO belt. Now it will no longer be the case. Olivieri subsequently confirmed that he will recommend to the WBO Championship Committee that Xander Zayas, currently the number 1 ranked contender at 154 lbs., be named the mandatory challenger for the WBO title. A month ago, the 22-year-old Puerto Rican impressed everyone with the ninth-round drubbing of Slawa Spomer on the Denys Berinchyk-Keyshawn Davis undercard.
Re: WBO Jr.
Middleweight Division (154 lbs.)
1. We have confirmed Terence Crawford will not return to the 154 lbs., division & will relinquish his Interim WBO title upon the official announcement of Canelo/Crawford. Therefore, his mandatory challenger status is moot. /
— Gustavo Olivieri, Esq. (@OlivieriLaw) March 21, 2025
If this recommendation is approved, then the winner of the upcoming Sebastian Fundora-Chordale Booker fight will be required to defend the title against Zayas within 120 days after their bout. Terence Crawford still holds the WBA title. Given the WBO’s decision, fans will have to wait and see what measures the Panama-based sanctioning body might take.
But fans shouldn’t lose hope
Speaking about future prospects, Fundora expressed interest in a fight with Zayas. “We will fight anybody. Anybody. Whoever it is. Zayas, Crawford. We’re ready for all of them,” said the unified champion during a conversation with Boxing Scene. On the other hand, it’s an opportunity Zayas had been looking forward to for some time. “Extremely excited for this opportunity. I’ve been working hard to be in this position, and Puerto Rico will have a new world champion in 2025,” he told Boxing Scene.
June 10, 2018 – Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America – Undisputed Junior Welterweight champion Terence Crawford defeats WBO Welterweight Champion Jeff Horn via KO in the Ninth round of their WBO Welterweight title fight on June 9, 2018 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Terence Crawford KO s Jeff Horn To Win WBO Welterweight Title – ZUMAt114 20180610_zap_t114_524 Copyright: xMarcelxThomasx
It’s been a few years since Crawford settled on a one-fight pattern. If 2023 saw him fight Spence Jr., in 2024 it was Madrimov. Now it’s over to Canelo. A few fans have cited concerns over the move. Given that he’s moving up two divisions, he should have had at least a tune-up to prepare himself for a grueling battle. Canelo has a fight in hand. He will face IBF champion William Scull in his quest to become an undisputed champion again.
Undeniably, the light middleweight division boasts an exciting lineup within its ranks. Hence, Crawford’s absence from the scene will be a sore point. Perhaps he simply wants to focus on what is arguably the biggest fight of his career and one of the most significant of the modern era. However, will burning bridges prove beneficial? Only time will tell.
What about you? Do you think it’s a prudent decision from Crawford to leave the light middleweight?
The post Big Loss for Terence Crawford as Agreeing to Canelo Alvarez Fight Proves Costly appeared first on EssentiallySports.