What 40 boxers couldn’t do in the last fifteen years, the IBF has done in a single night: take away a belt from Terence Crawford. As far as men’s boxing is concerned, there is once again no undisputed champion in more than one division. The latest development comes following the IBF’s decision to strip Crawford of his IBF Welterweight due to the latter’s inability to meet the mandatory defense requirements. Terence Crawford was the incumbent IBF Welterweight Champion. He took the belt from previous title holder and former unified Welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. on July 29.

Crawford was already the WBO Welterweight Champion. Thus, along with the IBF, the inclusion of Spence Jr.’s remaining belts from the WBA and WBC made ‘Bud’ the first man to become the undisputed champion in two divisions. The latest development thereby leaves him a unified champion. Understandably, fans and many former boxers aren’t so happy about the ruling. But is the situation so bad that it’s curtains down for the 36-year-old Nebraskan? Not so if Floyd Mayweather Jr. were to be asked. In fact, going by what the undefeated former champion had said in the past, ‘Bud’ might as well discover the silver lining.

Mayweather wisdom finally unraveling?

Not long ago, Floyd Mayweather Jr. suggested that boxing needed significant reform. Three years ago, while speaking to Showtime Sports before the Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz fight, the former five-division champion said, “There’s too many champions in the sport of boxing right now too many champions. Two, it’s not it’s not a such thing as a super champion not at all, and I’m not taking nothing away from no fighter; it’s two, it’s too many belts.”

Later, explaining the reason, he said that every belt comes at a cost—the sanctioning fee. So irrespective of whether a boxer is an interim champion, a regular champion, or even a super champion, he has to honor the sanctioning fee. So, per his views, it doesn’t bode well for the sport. “Now when the fighter fights, every fighter can… every fighter is a champion,” Mayweather Jr. said.

In fact, if an April news update could be believed, if he has his way, the undefeated former champion might as well have his own singular world title belt to address the multiple belt menace. Anyhow, according to a 2015 article in CNN, after scoring a victory over Manny Pacquiao during their ‘Fight of the Century,’ the WBO stripped Mayweather Jr. of his Welterweight title. He had failed to pay the mandatory sanctioning fee of $200,000 within the stipulated deadline.

Out of the four, Terence Crawford is left with a reduced count of three belts. How does that fit into the larger scheme of things that not only benefits him but the sport in general?

So basically, towards the last week of August, IBF initiated a notice. Crawford had time until September 24 to settle on a fight negotiation with Jaron Ennis, the interim title holder. But beginning in September, Spence Jr. exercised his right to invoke the rematch clause. Per the deal agreed upon before their first bout, as the winner, Crawford is bound to honor the requirement.

Unfortunately, per Rule 3.B of the IBF, the rematch clause could not be considered as a reason to circumvent the mandatory title defense requirement.

Study: Belt-less Terence Crawford, a boon or a bane?

But from Terence Crawford’s perspective, going back to Spence Jr. for a second fight means bagging another hefty eight-figure paycheck. The Nebraskan turned thirty-six this September. Hence, strictly per boxing standards, he might have a shelf life of another three to four years maximum. ‘Bud’ became the first male two-division undisputed champion. He accomplished the feat after defeating one of the most formidable and best boxers of the modern era. Thus, he has earmarked a place for himself in boxing history.

Strictly from a legacy viewpoint, there isn’t much left for the Omaha-born southpaw to achieve. Even if he retains one last dream of becoming a three-division undisputed champion, Crawford can still do so. He can accomplish it in the current division. He can go back to Ennis and take away his belt in front of everyone, in the ring. For that matter, he can chase another challenger who crops up in the interim. Otherwise, he could always move up divisions and challenge the reigning champion or champions for their belts.

A case in point could be that of Jermell Charlo. The Texan, despite a mandatory title defense, went after the money-spinner fight with Canelo Alvarez. In the process, he lost the undisputed championship. The WBO belt went to the interim title holder, Tim Tszyu. The Aussie eventually became the WBO light middleweight champion.

Winding Up

Thus, alongside the rematch, bagging a few big matches should do more than enough for Terence Crawford to live an ultra-luxurious retired life. Probably, given the stage where it stands now, the greatest advantage that ‘Bud’ could leverage from the current situation would be the freedom to choose his battles. With all the legacy parts taken care of, tomorrow, even if he is bereft of any belts, he can zoom in on a fighter in his crosshairs and initiate the talks. Now that he has proven himself a legitimate PPV draw, even top-notch boxers won’t hesitate for a possible match-up.

Soon after the July 29 win, while speaking on a podcast, Terence Crawford shared that a fight with Jaron Ennis interested him the least. The first names that always cropped up during those days were those of Jermell Charlo and Canelo Alvarez. Now, with the former’s defeat, the Mexican icon might remain his ultimate goal to chase. However, jumping over three weight classes is not that easy. Many experts and former champions have voiced concern over the matter. Thus, per the way things are moving, fans might first hear about the Spence Jr.-Crawford rematch announcement.

Read More: “All Saying Mayweather Would Smother Him Are Absolute Idiots”: Days After $21 Million Gate, Fans Can’t Stop Arguing as Floyd Mayweather vs. Terence Crawford Debate Heats-Up

What is your take? Will the stripping of one belt open up new chapters for Terence Crawford, or is it too late? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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