Finally, what most fans feared seems to have come to pass. The highly anticipated Sebastian Fundora–Errol Spence Jr. fight has been called off. Based on the information received from reliable sources, leading boxing journalist Mike Coppinger shared the disappointing news that the fight, originally slated for October of last year and later intended for March 29, will no longer happen. Shortly after Coppinger’s report, WBO’s new chief, Gustavo Olivieri, issued a statement explaining the reasons behind the organization’s inability to sanction the Fundora-Spence Jr. fight.

The news followed a cryptic message from Spence Jr., in which he seemingly criticized the state of boxing, calling it “so f**ked up.” The former unified welterweight champion had already fueled retirement rumors last year. Since his epic showdown with Terence Crawford, Spence Jr. has largely been absent from the ring. Though he triggered the rematch clause, the fight failed to materialize. Following an eye surgery, Spence Jr. moved up a division last year, and discussions about a potential clash with Fundora began to circulate.

The hoped-for Sebastian Fundora-Errol Spence Jr. showdown has come to an end

This latest development will undoubtedly disappoint fans, many of whom were eager to see Spence Jr. return to the ring. The Ring Magazine shared that Fundora might now face a new opponent. WBO’s second-ranked Charles Conwell is reportedly the leading candidate.

Explaining why the WBO would not approve the Fundora-Spence Jr. fight, Gustavo Olivieri first pointed to Spence Jr.’s nearly eighteen-month absence from the ring. Then, the way he incurred his last loss—a ninth-round technical knockout to Terence Crawford—didn’t bode well for the title clash. Lastly, Mr. Olivieri highlighted how Spence Jr. does not hold a ranking in the WBO standings and has never fought in the 154lbs division.

Mike Coppinger found it ‘hard to argue’ against the WBO president’s point. He also shared the name of the fighter who could replace Errol Spence Jr. to fight Sebastian Fundora – Charles Conwell. The unbeaten fighter from Detroit, Michigan, currently stands second in the WBO rankings.

However, the news utterly dejected several fans. Let’s see what a few of them had to say.

Fans are beginning to wonder if he’ll ever fight again

For instance, this fan echoed a sentiment many others have shared. They said, “Spence doesn’t want it anymore… Crawford took his soul.” Perhaps the first career loss damaged Spence Jr. more than the physical aspect. For one reason or another, his long absence from the ring only added fuel to the discourse.

Another fan shared similar thoughts. They said, “Honestly thought this was a bad idea for Errol. 🤷‍♂️” Given his recent posts and the prevailing concerns about his health, some followers feel that Spence Jr. might be better off without the gloves.

Disappointment was clearly evident in this fan’s message. “Damn, Errol. You lost ONE fight, and you’re letting your whole career slip away. Hope he gets back on track soon,” they said. It’s one thing to hope for Spence Jr.’s return. But with the loss and prolonged absence, it’s hard to predict how these developments will impact his career.

Taking a more practical view, this fan felt perhaps the matchup wasn’t the right choice for Spence Jr. “Def wasn’t a good fight to get Spence back in the mix anyway. He needs a tune-up, and Fundora isn’t that at all 🔥🥊,” they said. There could be some truth to this. A tune-up before jumping into a championship clash is the usual route most fighters prefer. The WBO president made a similar point as well, right?

But the dejection prevailed. “It’s over for Errol over a year out of the ring… it’s done; let’s move forward,” said this fan. Like many, they also feel that perhaps it’s curtains for Errol Spence Jr.; expecting a return after such a long absence may prove daunting.

Given the way the fight has seesawed since its talks first emerged, it may be better to move on, as the above fan suggested.

In another way, the prolonged uncertainty could also affect Sebastian Fundora’s career. Many believe Conwell could pose a tough challenge for him to crack. However, there are also talks of a potential rematch with Tim Tszyu. Fans will have to stay tuned for further developments as they unfold in the coming weeks.

What are your thoughts on the Fundora-Spence Jr. fight cancellation? Who do you think Fundora should fight next?