PARIS, France (AFP) — Terence Crawford has been stripped of his World Boxing Confederation (WBC) super middleweight crown after a financial dispute, with Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz and Frenchman Christian Mbilli to fight for the vacant world title.

Crawford shocked Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in September to become the first man to win undisputed titles in three weight divisions.

But according to the WBC, the American has not paid his sanctioning fees from that victory or his previous fight in 2024 against Israil Madrimov.

“The WBC sent multiple communications to champion Crawford, his manager, and his legal counsel,” the organization said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Very unfortunately, the WBC did not receive an acknowledgment of receipt nor any response to any of those communications.”

“The WBC had no choice but to act, considering champion Crawford had received ample notification and multiple opportunities to address and resolve the situation.”

Crawford, 38, counts titles in five weight classes and boasts an unbeaten record of 42-0 with 31 knockouts.