What Happened: Stripping of the Title
In a shocking turn of events on December 3, 2025, Terence Crawford — widely regarded as one of boxing’s greatest pound-for-pound fighters — was stripped of his World Boxing Council (WBC) super-middleweight title.
The reason: failure to pay mandatory sanctioning fees for his last two fights — including his mega-bout victory over Canelo Álvarez in September 2025. The fee owed was reportedly about US$300,000, after the WBC reduced its standard rate from 3% to 0.6% of the purse, recognizing the magnitude of the payday.
Despite this huge win, and making history by becoming the first male boxer to hold undisputed belts in three weight divisions, his reign at 168 lb lasted just 81 days.
As a result, the WBC declared the title vacant and scheduled a fight between Hamzah Sheeraz and Christian Mbilli for the vacant belt.
So at the moment, Crawford is no longer the WBC champion at super-middleweight — though he still retains his other belts (WBA, IBF, WBO) from that division.
What It Means — Impact of the Decision
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Legacy blow (sort of): While the title loss doesn’t strip away his historic win over Canelo or diminish his skill, being stripped so soon after achieving undisputed status tarnishes what should have been a crowning moment.
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Division shake-up: The super-middleweight division now resets — with Sheeraz vs Mbilli to fight for the vacant belt. Boxing fans and analysts will be watching to see who emerges as the new WBC champion.
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Financial & contractual scrutiny: Non-payment of sanctioning fees raises questions about contract handling, financial management, and relation with sanctioning bodies — an unexpected controversy for a big name like Crawford.
Net Worth 2025: How Rich Is Terence Crawford Now?
The financial side for Crawford remains very strong. According to recent reports:
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For his 2025 fight against Canelo Álvarez, Crawford reportedly earned a US$50 million purse.
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This payday boosted his overall earnings significantly. Some estimates put his 2025 net worth in the ballpark of US$60–70 million, factoring in career earnings, bonuses, and projected earnings from endorsements.
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Historically, his payout for prior big fights, endorsements and career earnings add up to a substantial fortune.
Given these numbers, Crawford remains among the wealthiest boxers in the world — though he may not yet reach the stratospheric net worth of some global icons, his financial standing is strong.
Where Does This Leave Crawford? What’s Next?
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Crawford may attempt to reclaim a sanctioning belt — either by paying the dues and negotiating his way back, or fighting in other divisions.
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He may choose to move back down to middleweight or focus on other belts he still holds — strategy depends on negotiations with sanctioning bodies and promoters.
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Regardless of titles, his legacy — as an elite boxer who defied weight classes and made history — largely remains intact. The upcoming months will reveal whether this episode becomes a footnote or a pivotal turning point in his career.
