Less than 48 hours after Sebastian Fundora’s epic performance on Saturday night, capturing the WBO and WBC super welterweight titles in a war against Tim Tszyu, a host of Hall-of-Fame challengers are lining up to dethrone him.
Fundora’s win grabbed the attention of boxing fans worldwide and two of the biggest names in the sport.
Moments after the official decision was read on Saturday in Las Vegas, former world champion Errol Spence climbed into the ring to challenge Fundora face-to-face. While the confrontation made headlines, it may have been more for show than go.
Spence is campaigning to be the first challenger for Fundora’s new crown. However, the WBO is mandating that their new champion defend the title against Terence Crawford, the man who dismantled Spence in July 2023.
According to a statement obtained by The Ring, the WBO only agreed to sanction Fundora-Tszyu if the winner would face Crawford next in a mandatory bout.
“Please be advised that March 25, 2024, this Committee granted sanction approval of the Tszyu/Fundora WBO [title fight],” WBO championship committee chairman Luis Batista-Salas wrote. “Sanction approval was granted subject to the winner facing next the mandatory challenger in the jr. middleweight division, Terence “Bud” Crawford within 180 days after the Tszyu/Fundora bout.”
“The foregoing condition was essential for purposes of sanction approval. Therefore, in light of the above and per WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests, the parties are hereby ordered to commence negotiations for the WBO mandatory jr. middleweight championship.”
Perhaps Spence wasn’t aware of the WBO’s deal, but Crawford took to X to remind him.
Spence didn’t leave Crawford’s reminder without a response of his own.
During the post-fight presser, Fundora was asked if he would be willing to vacate the WBO title to face Spence. Fundora identified Crawford as “the best fighter in the world,” and expressed his desire to fight the pound-for-pound king.
From a purely legacy and financial standpoint, fighting Crawford would make more sense for Fundora. Crawford is undefeated and, by most accounts, the pound-for-pound champion.
The 36-year-old seemingly chased a megafight with Canelo Alvarez, but the Mexican legend is instead fighting Jaime Munguia in May. Fundora-Crawford looks to be the likely fight and the best one for the sport.
