American Crawford vacates welterweight world title

Unbeaten American Terence Crawford has vacated his WBA welterweight world title, elevating compatriot Brian Norman Jr from interim to afloat world champion status.

Crawford, 36, won a world title successful a 4th section erstwhile he beat Israil Madrimov to declare nan WBA light-middleweight crown earlier this month.

The move signals Crawford's volition of staying astatine light-middleweight successful pursuit of unification fights.

Norman Jr is undefeated successful 26 pro bouts pinch 20 stoppages.

The 23-year-old captured nan interim WBA title pinch a stoppage triumph complete Giovani Santillan successful May.

A erstwhile lightweight world champion, Crawford - who has won each 41 pro bouts - was besides undisputed champion astatine light-welterweight and welterweight.

His triumph complete Uzbek Madrimov group up a lucrative bout against Mexican prima Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, but Saudi Arabia powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has since cooled talk of nan super-fight taking place.

Crawford is mandatory for WBO light-middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora, while Alalshikh is keen connected nan Omaha-fighter facing interim title holder Vergil Ortiz Jr.

The highly-rated IBF welterweight champion Jason 'Boots' Ennis has besides been mentioned arsenic a imaginable early opponent.