March 28, 2024

29 year old Terence “Bud” Crawford(32-0 23kos) of Omaha, Nebraska is now undisputed boxing champion after a brutal 3rd round bodyshot KO of now former WBA “Super” and IBF champion Julius Indongo(22-1 11kos) of Namibia. Indongo was also down in round 2. The bout took place Saturday, August 19, 2017, in the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln Nebraska on ESPN. Crawford is now the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, and RING magazine super-lightweight/Jr welterweight champion.

In this era, a fighter must possess the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles to be considered undisputed. The RING Magazine should also accompany those titles. The IBO not so much. Also, the promoter of Indongo Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Promotions confirmed via Twitter that the IBO title was not on the line. Indongo won the IBO title in his last fighter against Scotlands Ricky Burns.

Note *The last 140lb undisputed champion was Kostya Tszyu(31-2 25kos) after winning the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles in 2001. The WBO was not needed to be undisputed at the time*

It can be quite confusing and a headache if you actually take the time to understand the rules, regulations, and unwritten politics of today’s 4 major SANCTIONING bodies. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult in this day and age with the politics, managers, promoters, and financial aspects among many other intangibles that make it very difficult for a fighter to not only win all belts but to defend them as well. The first fighter to accomplish this was Bernard Hopkins and the last was Jermain Taylor when he defeated Bernard Hopkins in 2005.

Now days it’s hard to even imagine promoters or fighters wanting to dominate their divisions capturing all belts. A fighter may not be comfortable enough with their skills to defeat the other champions in their divisions.  We’ve seen this quite frequently as of late. Regardless of how view Indongo as a fighter, Terence Crawford has to be respected.

You also have to give credit to Julius Indongo for his quick rise to being a unified champion.

At the final press conference for the fight Indongo spoke of his fast rise to unified champion status after 2 fights and not fighting regional titles prior.

In recent Crawford interviews he is seemingly leaning towards moving up in weight and not defending any of his titles anymore at 140 pounds. So that leaves the question of when inevitably he moves up who will be his first fight.

Some talking the winner of Pacquiao vs Horn 2  but that would mean a likely lay off till April at least  no matter who wins. Crawford has said that he wants the number one guy/guys at 147 pounds. Popular opinion is that the current WBC and WBA champion Keith “One Time” Thurman(28-0 22kos) is the number one 147 pounder.  However he is currently injured in rumored to have a rematch obligation to Danny Garcia. Shawn Porter is the WBC number one contender and a salivating match up with IBF  Champion Errol Spence is the super fight to hard-core fans.

For now Crawford says he’s going to go fishing and spend time with his family. The next few months are going to be very interesting, but expect for Crawford to drop all of these titles and moved to 147 pounds.