Keyshawn Davis gives honest reaction to Terence Crawford’s WBC situation

Terence Crawford has continued to make headlines, but this time outside the ring. His response to the WBC has the boxing world debating sanctioning fees, with many on both sides of the argument. 

This widespread discussion arose at the WBC convention in Thailand, where the governing body announced that it had stripped Crawford of his WBC super middleweight title, thereby ending his undisputed status. The latest fighter to share their opinion is Keyshawn Davis, who spoke to Fight Hub TV and delivered a clear 4-word message to the sanctioning bodies.

Terence Crawford stripped by WBC

As well as announcing they had stripped Crawford of the WBC belt he won against Canelo. They also claimed the Omaha native failed to pay a previous fee for his fight against Israil Madrimov in August 2024.

A statement from the WBC read:

“The WBC sent multiple communications to Champion Crawford, his manager, and his legal counsel. Very unfortunately, the WBC did not receive an acknowledgment of receipt nor any response to any of those communications.”

“The WBC had no choice but to act, considering Champion Crawford had received ample notification and multiple opportunities to address and resolve the situation.”

Crawford’s very public response was:

“I got something to say. I got a lot to say,” he began.  “I see Mauricio got a lot to say about me not paying him $300,000, plus $100,000-something for sanction fees, right? … like, who the f— you think I am? Boy, you better slap your f—ing self. I ain’t paying your a– s—. F— you talking about?

“You can take the f—ing belt! It’s a trophy anyway,” added Terence Crawford.

Keyshawn Davis weighs in on sanctioning fees discussion

It appears this sanctioning fees conversation will continue for some time, and with the introduction to boxing of TKO, could we see big changes in 2026 and beyond?

Keyshawn Davis made his feeling clear regarding sanctioning fees when talking to Fight Hub TV:

“I always say, I never understand why we become champions, and have to pay for a belt. Keep that s**t. Not gonna work 14, 15 years for me to pay for something I worked for. When I went to the Olympics, did I pay for that damn medal?

“No, and if I walk into this arena without this belt, are these people still going to show up? Yes. So keep the f***ing belt. You’re not going to take my money. With all due respect, I just feel like if y’all gonna make this money, everybody gotta abide by the same rules because a belt is a belt, a trophy is a trophy. One person can’t be giving out more money to the next person, to the next sanctioning body. 

“I agree with Terence, but I just don’t agree with paying for belts for all the sanctioning bodies. And I told this to the one that I was under, the WBO. I told him too, I said, ‘I don’t really believe in that.’ And he explained why, but I was still like ‘Okay, but I still don’t agree with it.’ I’m always gonna be for not paying for belts, because what the f**k are we paying it for?,” said Davis.