Errol Spence vs. WBC/WBO 154-lb champion Sebastian Fundora is now out. The two were supposed to fight on March 29, but the WBO decided not to sanction the contest.
Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) could face Joey Spencer (19-1, 13 KOs) next. It is doubtful that the WBO will even sanction that fight, because Spencer is not ranked in the top 154 at 154. Lance Pugmire reported the possibility of Fundora defending against Spencer. It’s not a big fight, but there isn’t much time for an opponent to be chosen before March.
No. Spence
It’s a good thing that Spence will not challenge the 6’6″ Fundora for his two titles because he looked washed out in his loss to Terence Crawford in his last fight on July 29, 2023. The last thing that Spence has need now to be beaten by Fundora, much younger and taller, of 26 years, in his debut at 154 years, after a long layoff.
The reasons why the WBO did not sanction the fight are as follows:
– Spence’s layoff of 1.5 years
– Loss in the last fight
– Unranked at 154
– Never fought in the junior middleweight division
In retrospect, it was a crazy idea to use Spence as Fundora’s opponent, given his loss to Crawford in his previous fight, his long layoff, and never having fought at 154.
He wouldn’t have deserved a title shot against Fundora, but you could say the same thing about Terence Crawford who didn’t qualify for a world title shot against WBA 154-lb champion Israil Madrimov last August. The fight still happened despite Terence never having fought at 154.
Fans don’t see Fundora as a solid champion, given his performance in his last fight against Tim Tszyu and his loss to Brian Mendoza. Beating Tszyu is no big deal, as we saw in his recent third round loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev on October 19th.
The WBO will not sanction Fundora / Spence due to the latter being (1) inactive for 1 year & 5 months; (2) a TKO loss in the last bout; (3) not ranked at 154 lbs., & 4) never fought at 154 lbs. The decision otherwise would be a disservice to the rest of the 154 world contenders.
— Gustavo Olivieri, Esq. (@OlivieriLaw) January 16, 2025
