Terence Crawford Vacates WBO Title as Brian Norman Jr. Ascends to Champion Status

Terence Crawford’s reign as WBO welterweight champion has officially come to an end. After an illustrious career at 147 pounds, the undefeated four-division world champion has vacated his title, signalling a shift in focus to the junior middleweight division and beyond. Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), who recently defeated Israil Madrimov for the WBO interim junior middleweight title, is set to continue his campaign at 154 pounds or higher.

Crawford’s decision to vacate comes as little surprise following his emphatic victory over Errol Spence Jr. in July 2023, where he became the undisputed welterweight champion. Having collected all major belts at 147, it appears his time in the welterweight division has come to a close.

Brian Norman Jr. Elevated to WBO Champion

Following Crawford’s decision to vacate the WBO welterweight title, Brian Norman Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs) has been elevated to full champion status. The 23-year-old from Georgia had previously claimed the interim title with a stoppage win over Giovani Santillan, and now takes on the mantle of WBO welterweight champion. This rapid promotion solidifies Norman’s place in the upper echelons of the welterweight division.

Luis Batista-Salas, chairman of the WBO Championship Committee, confirmed the ruling, stating, “WBO President Paco Valcarcel received official communication from… Crawford confirming his decision that he will no longer stay in the welterweight division.”

Norman’s ascension to full champion status comes just months after his impressive victory over Santillan, and the young fighter now finds himself at the centre of a stacked welterweight division. Whether he will face an immediate mandatory defence remains to be seen, but with Crawford having vacated, the spotlight is firmly on Norman’s future at 147 pounds.

Crawford’s Future Lies at 154 Pounds

Crawford’s move up to junior middleweight became inevitable after his demolition of Spence in Las Vegas, a fight that cemented his status as one of the sport’s pound-for-pound greats. The victory, which saw him unify the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles along with retaining his WBO belt, marked a five-year pursuit of welterweight supremacy.

However, Crawford’s growing stature has seen him relinquish titles, beginning with the IBF, followed by the WBC, and now the WBO. His recent win over Madrimov suggests he is ready to conquer new challenges at 154 pounds, following the path of other greats who have moved up in weight as their careers progressed.

As WBO champion, Crawford faced the possibility of a title consolidation bout with Brian Norman Jr. if he returned to the welterweight division. However, with his commitment to junior middleweight, the chapter at 147 pounds is firmly closed for ‘Bud.’

What’s Next for Crawford?

Speculation about Crawford’s next opponent is rife, with names like Vergil Ortiz (22-0, 21 KOs) being floated as potential contenders. Ortiz recently dethroned interim WBC titlist Serhii Bohachuk in a thrilling twelve-round bout, positioning himself as a top challenger for Crawford’s next move at 154 pounds.

Ringside for the Madrimov fight was Turki Alalshikh, head of the Riyadh Season group, who expressed an interest in staging Crawford’s next fight against Ortiz. With Ortiz riding high from his recent victory, the potential match-up is generating significant buzz, and it could be one of the marquee events of 2024.

As for Crawford, his move up in weight signifies a new phase in his career. He remains one of the most feared and respected fighters in the sport, and his pursuit of greatness shows no signs of slowing down.

Terence Crawford’s decision to vacate his WBO welterweight title brings an end to a six-year reign that saw him defend his belt seven times, all with stoppages, until his points win over Madrimov. As Crawford moves on to conquer new divisions, Brian Norman Jr. steps into the spotlight, ready to forge his own path as WBO welterweight champion. The boxing world will be watching closely as both fighters embark on their next chapters.