WBO Places Terence Crawford At #1 In 168 Lbs Rankings Despite No Prior Divisional Fights

The WBO is being criticized by fans this week for its organization making Terence Crawford #1 mandatory to champion Canelo Alvarez in their updated rankings at super middleweight. Crawford, 37, hasn’t yet fought at 168, and the fighter he replaced at #1, Diego Pacheco, is coming off a win over Trevor McCumby.

Canelo vs. Crawford Legitimacy

This move by the WBO is seen as a way for them to legitimize the Canelo Alvarez fight, given their high ranking of Crawford. With the WBO making Crawford the mandatory, it gives the organization more attention for this already announced September 13th Superfight.

It’s a good way for the WBO to increase its marketability by being associated with the Canelo-Crawford event. The #1 ranking by the WBO will help fans view this clash as a real one, and not the circus-level gimmick fight that many view it as.

It still looks bad for the WBO’s credibility to give Crawford a #1 ranking without having fought in the division. Crawford being allowed to jump up two divisions to get a straight title shot against the undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo, is non-sporting. It shouldn’t be allowed. However, having the WBO give Crawford a #1 ranking makes it look even worse.

It’s unfair to Pacheco to be downgraded from #1 to #3. In another controversial move, the WBO moved Hamzah Sheeraz to #2 in their 168-lb ranking, despite him only having fought once at super middleweight, beating Edgar Berlanga.