Usyk Targets Wilder, Crawford Loses WBC Title, Inoue-Nakatani, and More

Bangkok, Thailand – December 3, 2025 – The 63rd Annual WBC Convention kicked off with a bang this week at the Marriott Marquis Queens Park, blending high-stakes mandatories meetings, celebrity appearances from the likes of Oleksandr Usyk and Katie Taylor, and a fusion of boxing and Muay Thai traditions. Amid cultural showcases and ratings committees, the governing body dropped bombshells that could reshape divisions from heavyweight to super bantamweight. From a shocking title strip to blockbuster potential matchups, here’s the rundown from Day 3’s key announcements.

Crawford Stripped: Super Middleweight Title Vacated Over Unpaid Fees

In a stunning turn just three months after Terence “Bud” Crawford’s historic unanimous decision victory over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 13 – which crowned him the first male boxer to become undisputed champion in three weight classes – the WBC has stripped the Nebraska native of its super middleweight (168 lbs) belt.  The reason? Non-payment of sanctioning fees totaling $300,000, a reduced 0.6% cut from Crawford’s reported $50 million purse for the Alvarez clash, plus fees from his prior bout against Israil Madrimov. 

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman called the oversight a “slap in the face” during the convention’s mandatories session, noting Crawford’s camp had been given ample time to settle the account.  Crawford, now 42-0 (33 KOs), retains the WBA, IBF, and WBO straps but loses his undisputed status. Fans and analysts are buzzing about his next move – could it be a return to welterweight or a wait-and-see for the 168 lbs throne?

With the title vacant, the WBC wasted no time, ordering an immediate clash between interim champion Christian Mbilli (22-0, 19 KOs) and No. 2 contender Hamzah Sheeraz (23-0, 19 KOs) for the belt.  The winner will face Lester Martinez, who drew with Mbilli in September on the Crawford-Alvarez undercard, as the mandatory challenger.  Sheeraz, the towering 6’3” British star, called it “my destiny,” while Mbilli eyes unification down the line.  This all-intrigue matchup could headline early 2026.

Golden Boy’s Gomez: Ortiz-Ennis Deal “Done by Next Week”

Adding fireworks to the welterweight and super welterweight landscape, Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez revealed during the session that negotiations are advancing rapidly for a dream fight between interim WBC super welterweight (154 lbs) champ Vergil Ortiz Jr. (23-0, 22 KOs) and unified welterweight (147 lbs) king Jaron “Boots” Ennis (32-0, 28 KOs). 

Gomez, speaking directly to the WBC board, disclosed talks with Ennis’ promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom and broadcaster DAZN, predicting a finalized deal as soon as next week.  “Vergil wants this big fight, and he’s ready,” Gomez said, noting Ortiz’s recent second-round demolition of Erickson Lubin on November 15.  The bout, potentially at a catchweight, would pit two unbeaten knockout artists – Ortiz with a 95% KO rate, Ennis at 88% – in what could be a 2026 pay-per-view headliner. Ortiz even took to social media pre-announcement, jabbing at Ennis to make it happen.  If sealed, expect fireworks.

Benn Locked In: Barrios-Garcia Winner’s Next Foe

In welterweight news, the WBC solidified Conor Benn (24-0, 15 KOs) as the No. 1 contender, mandating him as the next challenger for the winner of WBC titlist Mario Barrios (29-2, 18 KOs) vs. Ryan Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs).  The Barrios-Garcia clash is slated for February 21 in Las Vegas, setting up Benn for a potential Cinco de Mayo showdown in 2026. 

Benn, fresh off a middleweight win over Chris Eubank Jr. in their rematch, drops back to 147 lbs with fire in his eyes. “I’ll be watching closely – I want that belt, and Britain will have a new champion,” the 29-year-old Londoner declared.  Promoter Eddie Hearn hailed it a “big coup,” with Saudi backer Turki Alalshikh reportedly greenlighting the trilogy potential.  Garcia’s return post-ban adds volatility, but Benn’s ranking leap – above even Manny Pacquiao – cements his mandatory spot. 

Heavyweight Shake-Up: Okolie-Itauma Eliminator for Usyk’s Crown

The heavyweight division got a British-flavored boost as the WBC ordered former cruiserweight king Lawrence Okolie (22-1, 16 KOs) against rising phenom Moses “The Next Big Thing” Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) in a final eliminator for unified champ Oleksandr Usyk’s throne. 

Okolie, ranked No. 1, pushed for mandatory status but was rerouted to face the explosive 20-year-old Itauma (No. 19) after WBC brass emphasized “highest level” bouts.  Promoter Frank Warren of Queensberry called it an “interesting development,” with Okolie eyeing a Nigerian tune-up soon and Itauma prepping for Jermaine Franklin in January.  The winner earns a crack at Usyk, who just received the WBC “King” award from Naseem Hamed at the convention.  This all-UK clash could explode in mid-2026.

Inoue-Nakatani: Japan’s Superfight Set for Tokyo Dome in May

Capping the excitement, undisputed super bantamweight (122 lbs) monster Naoya “The Monster” Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) is locked in for a historic domestic clash with WBC/IBF bantamweight titlist Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs) on May 4, 2026, at the iconic Tokyo Dome. 

The pair verbally agreed during Japan’s Boxing Awards in March, with Nakatani vacating his 118 lbs belts to chase the super bantam crown.  Promoted as “the biggest fight in Japanese boxing history,” it pits two undefeated phenoms – Inoue’s surgical power vs. Nakatani’s slick southpaw style – in a potential 50,000-seat sellout.  Inoue, fresh off a January KO of Ye Joon Kim, tees up with Ramon Cardenas in December; Nakatani headlines a December 27 Riyadh card.  Expect global eyes on this one.

The convention rolls on through December 5 with more workshops, galas, and WBC Cares initiatives honoring courage in the ring and beyond.  From strips to superfights, Bangkok has set the stage for a seismic 2026 in boxing. Stay tuned – the sweet science never sleeps.