Terence Crawford says the wrong man has been given his WBC title: “He should be champion”

Terence Crawford has shared an unfavourable reaction to a new champion getting his hands on one of his old belts.

Crawford announced his retirement from boxing in December, calling time on a remarkable career which saw him become a five-weight world champion and undisputed in three separate divisions.

The last of those undisputed triumphs came in his final fight in September when he successfully moved up to super-middleweight and dethroned Canelo Alvarez at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, claiming the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF belts in the process.

By the time of his retirement, ‘Bud’ only remained in possession of the WBA, WBO and IBF titles, as the WBC had stripped him of their belt due to Crawford’s refusal to pay the sanctioning fee for the fight against Canelo.

This week saw the WBC act by crowning their new world champion, elevating Christian M’Billi from interim status to full champion, but it seems that Crawford doesn’t agree with that decision.

Posting on social media, Crawford revealed that he thinks Lester Martinez is the man who deserves to hold that title.

“Give my bro Lester a title shot, because he should be champion right now.”

Give my bro Lester a title shot, because he should be champion right now. pic.twitter.com/1fJf0sELb0

— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) January 28, 2026

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Martinez challenged M’Billi for his WBC interim title on the Canelo vs. Crawford undercard in September, with the fight ending in a controversial split decision draw.

Martinez still remains highly placed in the WBC rankings, so ‘Bud’ could well get his wish to see the undefeated Guatemalan receive a title shot if a rematch with M’Billi was to take place.