Fans React As WBO Ranks Crawford #1 At 168 – ‘Y'all Are Playing'

Fans have reacted to the news that the WBO has placed Terence Crawford number one in their 168 rankings, as Canelo Alvarez’s mandatory, despite never having boxed at the weight class. 

The news comes amid Crawford’s fight with Canelo, which takes place on September 13. Bud jumps up two weight divisions, having boxed at 154 in his last fight, to try and become a three-weight undisputed champion. While the attempt is admirable, the ranking has come under fire. Bud is a multi-division champion, having achieved undisputed status at 140 and 147, but he has no resume at super middleweight. 

Controversy

Adding to the controversy, Diego Pacheco, who was previously ranked 1, has been downgraded to 3 despite having just secured a win over Trevor McCumby in his last bout. McCumby had also tested Caleb Plant, dropping him, before he was stopped. Pacheco has been actively campaigning at super middleweight, securing wins over the likes of Jack Cullen and Maciej Sulecki. Those wins have taken him to 24-0, with 18 wins by knockout. 

Furthermore, the WBO’s decision to move Hamzah Sheeraz to 2 in the 168-lb rankings also faces scrutiny. Although Sheeraz has only had one fight, he did stop Edgar Berlanga. And yet, even that move has come under scrutiny since he is green at the weight class. This all comes in the background of the new proposed bill, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, aiming to drastically reshape the boxing industry.

The Future

The bill, introduced by Representatives Brian Jack and Sharice Davids, proposes the creation of Unified Boxing Organisations (UBOs) — governing bodies that would allow promoters to implement their own rankings and championship belts. The system would mirror the UFC model, where promoters maintain centralized control over matchmaking, rankings, and titles. The WBO’s rankings may only fuel calls for that. 

"As a former MMA fighter, I know firsthand the physical and financial risks that come with stepping into the ring. This bipartisan bill is about giving professional boxers the protections, opportunities, and freedom of choice they deserve. I’m proud to work across the aisle to help strengthen the future of American boxing and ensure athletes are treated fairly and safely," Sharice Davids 

"The Association of Boxing Commissions Board of Directors is in unanimous support of the new Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. This new legislation provides much-needed updates to the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 by enhancing the medical standards that protect boxers, establishing a national minimum payment per round, and defining national minimum health insurance requirements. This bill will mitigate the exploitation of the debut fighter and of all professional fighters that participate in the sweet science of pugilism," Michael Mazzulli (president of the Association of Boxing Commissions)

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