Junior Middleweight champ eyes vulnerable Spence for major payday

Fundora relinquishes WBO 154-lb belt to chase career-defining victory...Fundora relinquishes WBO 154-lb belt to chase career-defining victory...

In a jaw-dropping twist, WBC/WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora is set to relinquish his WBO 154-lb title to secure a highly anticipated fight against Errol Spence Jr. this October. This decision comes on the heels of the World Boxing Organization’s mandate for Fundora to defend his title against the undefeated Terence Crawford.

According to insider sources at Boxingscene, Fundora, 26, chose the high-stakes bout with Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) over the mandatory defense against Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs). The move has the boxing world buzzing, especially considering Spence’s recent loss to Crawford.

The reasoning behind Fundora’s decision is clear: Errol Spence Jr.’s proven pay-per-view prowess. Despite his loss to Crawford, Spence remains a massive draw, especially in his home state of Texas, where he packs the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium. In contrast, Crawford’s pay-per-view numbers only surged after his victory over Spence, leading many to credit Spence for the event’s success.

Fundora bets big on Spence’s struggles for career-boosting win

Fundora’s choice also hinges on his assessment of Spence’s current form. Spence has been through the wringer, with two major car accidents, eye injuries, weight struggles, and long periods of inactivity. Since 2020, the former unified welterweight champion has only fought three times, a stark contrast to the active and ascending Fundora.

Fundora is banking on Spence’s recent troubles to pave the way for a career-defining victory. A win over Spence could catapult Fundora into the boxing stratosphere, setting the stage for a lucrative unification fight against the winner of Crawford vs. Madrimov, slated for August 3rd at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

While many expect Crawford to dispatch Israil Madrimov with ease, Fundora’s camp remains cautious. Crawford, nearing 37, has fought only once a year since 2020 and has never competed at 154 lbs. The aging champ could be vulnerable, and Fundora aims to be in the perfect position to exploit that.