Terence Crawford officially bids farewell to welterweight, Brian Norman elevated to WBO champion
THE days of Terence Crawford combating at welterweight are actually undoubtedly over.
After changing into undisputed world champion at 147lbs in July 2023 Crawford was stripped of his IBF title just a few months later. A call which appalled “Bud” however elevated interim belt holder Jaron Ennis to full champion standing.
Two months in the past Mario Barrios was given an analogous reward having held the WBC’s interim bauble for 9 months when the sanctioning physique upgraded him to official inexperienced and gold titlist. On August 12 the WBO adopted go well with after they have been knowledgeable by Crawford that he’ll now not keep within the welterweight division.
Earlier this month the 36-year-old defeated Israil Madrimov to win the WBA super-welterweight world title in Los Angeles. The factors victory added to the American’s spectacular checklist of achievements which incorporates successful world titles in 4 weight courses and changing into undisputed in two of them.
Official decision concerning the WBO Welterweight Division. @terencecrawford #BrianNormanJr https://t.co/sGWhnI446y
— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) August 12, 2024
Crawford’s determination brings excellent news for Brian Norman Jr who, identical to Ennis and Barrios, is now a completely recognised welterweight champion after the WBO upgraded him to full standing. The undefeated 23-year-old had stopped Giovanni Santillan in May which earned him the interim belt. The Georgia fighter could now discover himself within the sights of Teofimo Lopez who instructed ESPN final month he plans to transfer to welterweight and a bout towards his Top Rank stable-mate is now a fair larger risk.
Time to shake up the division 🐺 https://t.co/uPqZd0ERZv
— Brian Norman Jr (@OfficialBNorman) August 12, 2024
After years of welterweight dominance between Crawford and the person he beat to develop into undisputed – Errol Spence Jr – certainly one of boxing’s most historic divisions is now getting into a brand new section with new faces. Jaron Ennis, Mario Barrios and Brian Norman Jr are actually the fighters to beat at welterweight and it’s anticipated WBA ‘Regular’ belt holder Eimantas Stanionis will full the quartet when Crawford is eliminated of their world welterweight title.
