Last month, the WBC named Terence Crawford as a ‘Champion in Recess’ for their welterweight title, ahead of the pound-for-pound superstars move up to super-welterweight. Now, the sanctioning body has crowned a new title-holder and there are already plans for a mammoth test in his first clash as champion.
Crawford became the undisputed welterweight champion with a phenomenal knockout victory over long-term rival and unified titlist Errol Spence Jr. last July but was stripped of the IBF strap in November. Recently, it was confirmed that ‘Bud’s’ days at 147lbs would be coming to an end, and Saudi catalyst Turki Al-Alshikh announced that his debut at 154lbs would be a challenge for Israil Madrimov’s WBA super-welterweight title in Los Angeles, topping an extraordinary card.
This week, the WBC has begun to move on from Crawford’s reign at welterweight and has officially upgraded former WBA super-lightweight conqueror Mario Barrios from interim champion to full world champion.
“The WBC Board of Governors has voted in favour of the ruling to elevate interim champion Mario Barrios to World champion after the WBC granted Terence Crawford the ‘Champion in recess’ status and will compete in a final elimination bout in the super-welterweight division to then decide in which category he will continue.”
As per the WBC rulings, Crawford will have the option to move back down to welterweight and challenge Barrios for the title if decides that he would prefer to continue at 147lbs after facing Madrimov, although that scenario would likely only occur if he was to lose his undefeated record to the Uzbek.
However, even if Crawford was to remain at 154lbs, it appears as though Barrios is almost guaranteed an extremely high-profile first defence of the belt, amid rumours that Manny Pacquiao will make a comeback to professional boxing and target the Texan.
Speaking to Boxing Scene, Pac-Man’s advisor Sean Gibbons beamed with excitement and appeared confident that Barrios-Pacquiao will happen before the end of the year, as the Filipino hopes to end his legendary career on a high rather than with the disappointing defeat to Yordenis Ugas three years ago.
