Terence Crawford officially evacuated his WBA junior middleweight title, and interim champion Abass Baraou has been increased to the new champion status.
This move by Crawford (42-0, 31 food) comes after his victory over the undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez last Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Las Vegas.
Hold belts as Canelo bait
It was a situation where Crawford, 37, had to decide which of the titles from the 154 and 168 should hold. Considering that he is probably still hoping for a profitable Rematch against Canelo, it made sense that he should use his four super middleweight titles to use as a fishbait for the Mexican superstar.
Reject the benavidez option
That’s almost the only reason Crawford wants to hold onto the 168 -pound belts, because he has already rejected the idea of defense against David Banavidez. It would probably be the second largest payday available, behind a re -broadcast with Canelo, if Turki Alalshikh prefers to go in that direction.
This is a lot of money that Turki has to invest for a Canelo-Crawford Rematch; The battle provided very little entertainment value last Saturday, and was one of the dullest on the map. It may not be worth it because both underperformed and watched their ages in their super fight.
Crawford is not expected to defend its undisputed super-middleweight championship against any of the other contenders on 168, apart from Canelo, WBC rankings.
An unattractive “old timer’s struggle”
There is also no real drama in a second fight. None of them go drinking from the fountain of youth, the truth to regain their form of ten years ago. Turki would pay for an old timer battle if he tackled a second one.
“Official: Terence Crawford has evacuated the Super Welterweight Crown (154 pounds) WBA and Baraou Abass is elevated to ordinary champion. Crawford now holds all the super middleweight titles 👑👑👑,” says Salvador Rodriguez of ESPN Knockout today.
Abass Baraou (17-1, 9 COs) won the WBA-Tussent time junior middleweight title last month and defeated Yoenis Tellez with a unanimous 12 round decision in Orlando, Florida. The scores were 117-110, 115-112 and 116-111.
Likez-Baraou Punch Stats
- Baraou: 160 country of 718 strokes for 22.28% connection rate
- Tellez: 130 of 666 for 19.52%
Baraou wants all the major fights now that he holds the WBA title, and he can start getting them soon. His contender for the first place is Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who makes his debut on 154 against Uussma Lima on October 11. Depending on the question of whether the promoter of Ennis, Eddie Hearn, is on board with him who is challenging for the WBA title, Baraou can get his first big name.
Last updated on 09/20/2025
