In a shocking turn of events, the boxing world has crowned a new champion following Terence Crawford's retirement – a move that has sent ripples throughout the super middleweight division! Jose Armando Resendiz now holds the WBA super middleweight title, but the path to this victory is paved with controversy, financial disputes, and a whole lot of reshuffling. Buckle up, because this is a wild ride.
Resendiz, a Mexican boxer who previously held the interim title after a stunning upset against Caleb Plant in May, has officially been elevated. Remember, Resendiz entered that fight as a significant underdog, with bookmakers placing him at 11/1. He defied expectations, securing a split decision victory over the former IBF 168lbs champion in what many described as a truly electrifying performance. This victory was a major turning point, setting the stage for his current championship status.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's Bektemir Melikuziev has ascended to the coveted No. 1 spot in the WBA rankings. This naturally begs the question: will we see a mandatory fight between Resendiz and Melikuziev? The answer, at least for now, is complicated. Resendiz is currently in negotiations for a fight with Edgar Berlanga. Now, here's where it gets controversial... Berlanga, a Puerto Rican fighter, is currently ranked No. 12 by the WBA and has suffered two losses in his last three bouts. Is he truly deserving of a shot at the title? That's a question many boxing fans are debating.
To recap Berlanga's recent performance: In September 2024, he faced Canelo Alvarez and suffered a decisive unanimous decision loss. He rebounded with a quick, one-round victory over Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz, an opponent who wasn't particularly well-known. However, in July of the previous year, Hamzah Sheeraz defeated Berlanga in five rounds. Given this recent track record, the potential matchup raises eyebrows. Should a fighter with recent losses be in line for a shot at a world title?
Resendiz's ascension is part of a larger shakeup stemming from Crawford's decision to retire and relinquish his undisputed titles. But Crawford's departure wasn't the only reason for the title fragmentation. The IBF has already mandated a fight between the powerful Cuban Osleys Iglesias and Canelo Alvarez for their version of the super middleweight world title. The WBC has called for a showdown between Christian Mbilli and Hamzah Sheeraz for their coveted green and gold strap. And this is the part most people miss... Sheeraz has also been presented with an offer from the WBO to compete for a vacant world title against Diego Pacheco. The super middleweight landscape is rapidly changing, creating opportunities for numerous fighters.
The IBF, WBO, and WBA stripped Crawford of their titles after he announced his retirement on December 16th. However, the WBC stripped Crawford of his title two weeks prior to that announcement. Why? Because Crawford allegedly refused to pay the sanctioning fees associated with his highly lucrative fight against Canelo Alvarez. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman stated that Crawford failed to remit $300,000, equivalent to 0.6% of his $50 million purse. This followed a previous refusal to pay fees for his victory over Israil Madrimov at super welterweight in August 2024.
Sulaiman publicly criticized Crawford's actions, calling them "a slap in the face" to the WBC. He emphasized the WBC's role in facilitating the Crawford-Canelo fight, which generated life-changing money for both fighters and their families. Sulaiman highlighted the organization's efforts, including the creation of a special ring that garnered worldwide attention, only to feel disrespected by Crawford's refusal to pay the fees.
"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," Sulaiman stated. "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 concluded by affirming the resilience of the WBC and the sport of boxing, stating that the next champion would be just as good or even better than the previous one. He declared the WBC championship vacant, opening the door for a new era in the super middleweight division.
So, what do you think? Was Crawford justified in refusing to pay the sanctioning fees? Is Berlanga deserving of a title shot? And who do you see emerging as the dominant force in this newly reshaped super middleweight division? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
