Terence Crawford loses undisputed welterweight crown after just FOUR MONTHS after ‘Bud’ is stripped of IBF title as he fails to make mandatory defense due to Errol Spence rematch

Welterweight star Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford is no longer the division’s undisputed champion after he was stripped of the IBF championship.

Crawford was stripped of the belt due to his inability to compete in a mandatory title defense against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis because of the rematch clause from his fight against Errol Spence Jr. It means Ennis is elevated from interim champion to full titleholder.

‘Bud’ dominated rival Spence on July 29 to claim all four welterweight belts but the contract allowed the loser to activate a rematch clause. 

‘On August 25, the IBF sent a letter to TBC Promotions directing Terence Crawford to begin negotiations with interim Champion Jaron Ennis,’ an IBF spokesperson told BoxingScene.com. 

‘Negotiations were to be concluded by September 24.

Crawford had been ordered to make a mandatory defense of the title against Jaron Ennis

‘On September 22, the IBF received an email from Harrison Whitman representing Crawford indicating that the agreement for the Spence vs. Crawford bout contains an immediate rematch provision which Errol Spence has exercised. 

‘As such, Terrence Crawford is unable to engage in negotiations with Jaron Ennis.’

Sanctioning bodies do not generally consider rematch clauses to be a justifiable reason for avoiding mandatory defenses. The IBF’s rule 3.B specially prohibits the practice.

‘No contract for a Championship contest shall contain any clause or any provision, whatsoever, guaranteeing or in any way assuring or promising either contestant a return Championship contest where such clause or provision interferes with the mandatory defense of a title.

‘Based on the forgoing, the IBF has withdrawn recognition of Terence Crawford as the IBF Welterweight world champion,’ confirmed the IBF. 

Crawford will instead be honoring the rematch clause after his victory against Errol Spence Jr