Terence Crawford is no longer the undisputed welterweight champion in the world of boxing.
Earlier this year, Terence Crawford produced an absolute masterclass to defeat Errol Spence Jr. In doing so, he captured the WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and vacant The Ring welterweight titles to go alongside his WBO belt. This made him the first male fighter in history to become an undisputed champion in two weight classes during the four-belt era.
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The expectation, in the eyes of the IBF, was that he would defend the strap against Jaron Ennis in his next outing. Unfortunately for them, Spence Jr has a rematch clause with Crawford that he plans to trigger.
As per Boxing Scene, the IBF has now stripped Crawford of the championship as a result of his rematch plans.
The IBF have now officially confirmed that they’ve stripped Terence Crawford of his IBF welterweight world title because they ordered him to defend vs Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis next, but he could not fight the mandatory due to Errol Spence’s rematch clause. As a result, Ennis has been…
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 9, 2023
CRAWFORD STRIPPED OF IBF WORLD 147LBS TITLE ‼️
The IBF has stripped Terence Crawford of his world title and promoted Jaron Ennis to full champion 🥊
Bud’s rematch with Errol Spence now looks increasingly likely to be at super-welterweight.#TerenceCrawford | #BoxingNews pic.twitter.com/dskmp9s4uG
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) November 10, 2023
Crawford is stripped
“On August 25,the IBF sent a letter to TBC Promotions directing Terence Crawford to begin negotiations with interim Champion Jaron Ennis,” a spokesperson informed BoxingScene.com. “Negotiations were to be concluded by September 24.
“On September 22, the IBF received an email from Harrison Whitman representing Crawford indicating that the agreement for the Spence v. Crawford bout contains an immediate rematch provision which Errol Spence has exercised. As such, Terrence Crawford is unable to engage in negotiations with Jaron Ennis.”
As per Boxing Scene, sanctioning bodies don’t honor rematch clauses as a reason to not take part in a mandatory title fight.
“No contract for a Championship contest shall contain any clause or any provision, whatsoever, guaranteeing or in any way assuring or promising either contestant a return Championship contest where such clause or provision interferes with the mandatory defense of a title.”
Quotes via Boxing Scene
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