STATUS OF THE WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION / EXECUTIVE DECISION

3 December, 2025

STATUS OF THE WBC SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION / EXECUTIVE DECISION

On September 13, 2025, Terence Crawford became the WBC World Super Middleweight Champion by defeating Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez in a brilliant performance. The fight was contested for the WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA titles—for the Undisputed championship of the world.

Champion Crawford allegedly earned 50 million dollars for that fight. Appreciating the magnitude of that event, the WBC modified its rules to limit the Boxer’s Bout Fee to a 0.6% sanction fee instead of the 3% that the WBC Rules & Regulations require. The WBC was going to allocate 75% of Champion Crawford’s Boxer’s Bout Fee to the José Sulaimán Boxers Fund, which is administered by the Nevada Community Foundation. The Fund’s mission is to assist fighters around the world in need of humanitarian aid.

The Fund has benefited hundreds of boxers and their families all around the world. As an example, just recently, the Fund has assisted fighters like Iran Barkley, who is battling cancer, and the recently deceased Vanes Martirosyan.

The WBC put Champion Crawford on notice regarding his failure to comply with express mandates of the WBC Rules & Regulations; specifically, the non-payment of the Boxer’s Bout Fees for his last two fights: against Israil Madrimov and against Saúl Álvarez.

The WBC sent multiple communications to Champion Crawford, his manager, and his legal counsel. Very unfortunately, the WBC did not receive an acknowledgment of receipt nor any response to any of those communications. The WBC had no choice but to act, considering Champion Crawford had received ample notification and multiple opportunities to address and resolve the situation.

The José Sulaimán Fund has supported hundreds of fighters in need, providing financial & medical assistance for those who have fallen on hard times