Sebastian Fundora is one of boxing’s most recently crowned champions but he has soon come under pressure from those in the sport about when he will fight next and has now been given a huge ultimatum by the WBO over Terence Crawford.
Junior middleweight belt holder Fundora was a last-minute replacement opponent for Tim Tszyu back on March 30th after the man originally scheduled to fight, former welterweight champion Keith Thurman, had to pull out with an injury.
He went on to upset the odds and beat the Australian world title hopeful after inflicting a bad cut and seeing out the split decision points win at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on Amazon Prime.
Soon after the fight, it was revealed he had suffered extensive damage to his nose and his team announced he would not be able to train until September of this year. All relevant paper work has been submitted to the WBO to that effect and they have now sent out an official resolution letter.
The whole article can be found on the WBO website with a full statement of facts, and it has been summed up on X by Lance Pugmire.
“WBO announces Sebastian Fundora has until Dec. 31 to meet the Crawford-Madrimov winner or that interim champion elevates to full WBO champion.
As such, Fundora will indeed be able to take the time out he requires for his nose to heal, but will then have to get back in the gym sharpish and almost immediately start camp in rider to meet the deadline of December 31st to face the winner of Crawford versus Israil Madrimov, a fight that is set to take place on August 3rd in order to crown an interim champion.
The fight will be the first Crawford has since beating Errol Spence Jnr to become the undisputed welterweight king back in July last year, and his first up at the new weight of 154lbs.
Currently rated as ESPN’s No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer, this title at Israil Madrimov’s WBA junior middleweight title will be presented by Riyadh Season under Turki Alalshikh, the chair of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.
Fundora was also recently called out by Ryan Garcia soon after ‘King Ry’ shocked the world and beat Devin Haney this past weekend, so it looks like he could have his hands full for a while should he manage to get back in full fitness before he is stripped of his belt.
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