RINGSIDE By Doug Fischer CRAWFORD VS. THE WBC
February 2026 Volume 103, No. 2
Founder Nathaniel Fleischer (1888-1972) Owner His Excellency Turki Alalshikh
Editor-in-Chief Douglass Fischer Managing Editor Tom Gray Senior Editor Brian Harty Creative Director Lamar Clark Controller Deborah L. Harrison
Subscription Inquiries Back Issues Inquiries Digital Orders Inquiries The Ring Magazine Subscriber Service Dept. PO Box 16027 North Hollywood, CA 91615-6027
T he four major sanctioning bodies hold annual conventions in various parts of the world where they put on workshops and seminars, honor their beltholders, hand out awards and make decisions on their rankings and mandatory title challenges. None, however, grab the kind of headlines – usually of the cringe- inducing variety – that the World Boxing Council’s gatherings seem to command each year. This year’s WBC convention – held in Bangkok during the first week of December – was no exception. The news out of Thailand that garnered the most attention was the Mexico-based organization’s decision to strip Terence Crawford of their super middleweight belt due to the unified Ring champ’s refusal to pay $300,000 in sanctioning fees following his unanimous decision over Canelo Alvarez. Crawford’s raw retort and the reaction that it elicited from fans, boxers
Crawford was unwilling to pay $300k in WBC sanctioning fees.
Phone: 818-286-3101 rngcs@magserv.com
Send Editorial Comments To: comeoutwriting@gmail.com or P.O. Box 90254 Brooklyn, NY 11209
and industry players dominated boxing social media for several days. When interviewed about the decision, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman sounded hurt and offended. “He forgot how he got to make $50 million [vs. Alvarez],” Sulaiman said. “The WBC was instrumental in making that fight, the [championship] ring we made [for him] ... just to receive a slap in the face is sad. It is just terrible. Not even a thank you, or ‘I’m sorry.’ No response.” Crawford saved his response for his Instagram account, which he used to stream a 17-minute rant titled “Just had to get something off my chest.” It was epic but also laced with profanity – many F- and MF-bombs were dropped – so sensitive readers be warned about the highlights you’re about to read.
THE RING (ISSN: 0035-5410) February 2026, is published 12 times per year by The Ring Magazine FZ, LLC P.O. Box 90254 Brooklyn, NY 11209. Postmasters: Send change of address Notices to: The Ring Magazine Subscriber Service Dept., PO Box 16027, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6027, Phone: 818- 286-3101; rngcs@magserv.com. Single copy price $9.99 in U.S.A. ,10.99 Canada (£10.99 in the U.K.). Global Subscription price $60.00 for 12 issues plus S&H. Not responsible for the loss or non-return of unsolicited articles or photographs, which will not be returned unless accompanied by a self- addressed envelope bearing the proper amount of postage. The entire contents of this magazine are copyright ©2026 The Ring Magazine FZ-LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of the content of advertisements appearing in this magazine, nor the delivery or quality of merchandise or services offered. No endorsement of any such advertisement is intended or implied. Advertisers and agencies assume liability for claims arising from the content of their advertisements. FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES AND RATES: advertising@ringmagazine.com. U.S. / Canadian and International distribution by Comag Marketing Group LLC, 155 Village Blvd #200, Princeton, NJ 08540. UK distribution by Seymour Distribution Ltd., 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, England, EC1A 9PT. Printed In USA and the UK.
+966 55 502 8498
+966114118800
intercontinental durrat alriyadh resort & spa
RINGMAGAZINE.COM 9
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker