Terence Crawford’s jump to 168 lbs just received official blessing from the WBO. The sanctioning body has installed the undefeated three-division champion as its top-ranked super-middleweight, clearing any ranking obstacles before his Sept. 13 clash with undisputed king Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
Crawford, 37, relinquished the WBO interim title he won at 154 lbs against Israil Madrimov last August, and with that vacancy the organisation fast-tracked him past long-established 168-pounders Diego Pacheco, Hamzah Sheeraz, and Jaime Munguía. Explaining the leapfrog, the WBO hailed Crawford’s “extraordinary merits” and “historical stature,” calling his résumé unparalleled among current contenders.
The Nebraska southpaw has boxed only once above welterweight, yet climbs into a division ruled by boxing’s biggest global star. Alvarez, 35, is coming off a decisive May win over William Scull and holds every major belt at super-middleweight.
Vacating Crawford’s interim junior-middleweight strap set off its own domino: the full WBO 154-lb title - briefly held and dropped by Sebastian Fundora - will now be contested this Saturday at Madison Square Garden when Xander Zayas meets Jorge Garcia Perez.
Image Credit: PBC