Former WBC super middleweight world champion Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford calls for his campmate to receive a world title shot.
The Omaha, Nebraska native retired from the sport of boxing in December 2025 ending a legendary 17 year professional career.
Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) went on to write his name in boxing history as a 3 time undisputed champion having held the WBA/WBC/WBO/IBF and RING Magazine championships at super lightweight, welterweight and super middleweight – the only boxer to accomplish this in the 4 belt era.
In his final professional contest he dethroned fellow pound for pound legend Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) in September 2025 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on September 13th 2025.
‘Canelo’ lost his undisputed championship to Crawford in the main event while Crawford’s campmate Lester Martinez (19-0-1, 16 KOs) had a fight of the year contender with Christian Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) for the interim WBC super middleweight world championship on the undercard.
A highly competitive back and forth fight with both men finding success throughout, it was an extremely fan friendly contest that resulted in a split draw.
Post fight reactions were varying with many feeling Martinez did enough to win and take the interim championship from Mbilli. The WBC had even voted unanimously for an immediate rematch to be ordered, which ultimately did not materialise.
Crawford was stripped of his WBC super middleweight championship by the sanctioning body for failure to adhere to payment of their agreed sanctioning fees back in December 2025 and on January 27th 2026 Mbilli was elevated to full world champion.
‘Bud’ has publicly called for his campmate Lester Martinez to receive a shot at the title (posting on Twitter/X) as he believes he should’ve been in possession of the interim title after his last bout.
The WBC had ordered a number of other fighters to face Mbilli to crown a new world champion prior to their decision to elevate him but as things stand he has no clear opponent as a front runner.
Given the action packed, competitive nature of their first fight it would not be a surprise to see it come to fruition at some point in the near future if both parties are willing or if the WBC decides to order it as a mandatory.
With the world titles being vacated by Crawford due to his retirement, the super middleweight division now seems wide open for a new king to rise to the throne in a division full of great fights waiting to be made.
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