Errol Spence vs. WBC/WBO 154-lb champion Sebastian Fundora is now off. The two were supposed to fight on March 29, but the WBO decided not to sanction the contest.
Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) may face Joey Spencer (19-1, 13 KOs) next. It is doubtful whether the WBO will approve that fight, because Spencer is not ranked in the top 154. Lance Pugmire reports that Fundora may protect Spencer. It’s not an easy fight, but there isn’t much time for an opponent to be chosen before March.
There is no Spence
It’s a good thing that Spence won’t be challenging the 6’6″ Fundora for his two titles because he looked washed out when he lost to Terence Crawford in his last fight on July 29, 2023. The last thing Spence needs right now is to be beaten by the much smaller and taller Fundora who is 26 years old at the age of 154, coming off a long career.
The reasons why the WBO does not sanction the fight are the following:
– Spence layoff for 1.5 years
– Losing in the last battle
– Removed from 154
– I have never fought in the junior middleweight division
In retrospect, it was a crazy idea to use Spence as Fundira’s opponent, given his loss to Crawford in his previous fight, his longevity, and never having fought at 154.
He definitely didn’t deserve a shot at Fundora, but you can say the same thing about Terence Crawford’s undefeated world title shot against WBA 154-lb champion Israel Madrimov last August. The war is still going on despite Terence never having fought at 154 years old.
Fans don’t consider Fundora a strong champion, given his performance in his last fight against Tim Tszyu and his loss to Brian Mendoza. Knocking out Tszyu is no big deal, as we saw in his most recent third-round loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev on October 19.
The WBO will disqualify Fundora/Spence because (1) it is 1 year and 5 months old; (2) a TKO loss in the final match; (3) is not rated at 154 lbs., & 4) has never fought at 154 lbs. To rule otherwise would have been an embarrassment to all 154 world-class entrants.
– Gustavo Olivieri, Esq. (@OlivieriLaw) January 16, 2025
