NextFin news, On Sunday, September 21, 2025, Terence Crawford was officially stripped of his 154-pound world boxing title by the World Boxing Association (WBA) after he confirmed he does not intend to return to the division to defend the belt.
The announcement came shortly after Crawford's unanimous decision victory over Canelo Alvarez on September 13, 2025, a fight that elevated Crawford to undisputed super middleweight champion status. Despite this, Crawford has yet to confirm his future plans, with retirement being a possibility he has acknowledged but not finalized.
Following Crawford's decision, the WBA promoted their interim light middleweight champion, Abass Baraou, to full world champion. Baraou, a German boxer with a 17-1 record, earned the interim title by defeating Yoenis Tellez in August 2025, securing a unanimous decision victory with scores of 116-111, 115-112, and 117-110. Baraou's promoter, Wasserman Boxing, confirmed the promotion via social media, stating: "Abass Baraou is full world champion. Seat at the top table confirmed for AB, who would you like to see him fight next?"
Terence Crawford, 37, had held the WBA light middleweight title since August 2024 after defeating Israil Madrimov. Since his win over Alvarez, speculation about his retirement has grown, with notable figures in boxing, including Shakur Stevenson, advising him to retire while on top. Crawford himself told analyst Max Kellerman post-fight, "I don't know. I gotta sit down with my team and we'll talk about it." His trainer, Brian McIntyre, has expressed confidence that Crawford will fight again, though no official confirmation has been made.
The stripping of Crawford's title and Baraou's promotion mark a significant development in the light middleweight division, opening new opportunities for contenders and reshaping the championship landscape.
Source: Bloody Elbow, September 22, 2025
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