WBO’s Order to Terence Crawford Kicks Errol Spence Jr. Out of the Sebastian Fundora Rat Race

WBO has cleared the air and is ready to handle the complicated situation with an iron fist. The sanctioning body has pushed Terence Crawford as Sebastian Fundora‘s mandatory, as the latter is gripped with a problem of plenty. But is ‘Bud’ in the clear now?

Ever since Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora reached an agreement to fight for WBO and WBC junior middleweight, they knew the fate that awaited. A fight with Crawford, 36, next. However, Errol Spence Jr. would throw his name in the mix, publicly call out the winner, and halt ‘The Towering Inferno’s celebrations in the ring to specify his intentions. It seems the WBO has untangled the situation and presented the newly crowned champion with explicit instructions. What are they?

WBO forces Sebastian Fundora to reach terms with Terence Crawford

Dan Rafael turned to his X handle and shared a copy of the official letter that WBO sent to both Crawford and Fundora. Besides declaring Crawford as Fundora’s mandatory, the WBO has set time frames and clear deadlines. Rafael wrote, “Breaking: The ⁦@WorldBoxingOrg⁩ sent this letter to both sides ordering ⁦@SebastianFundo1 vs. ⁦@terencecrawford mandatory next. Of course, Fundora can do something else just won’t have the WBO title.”

The WBO has asked both parties to reach an agreement within 20 days, and a failure to do so would result in purse bidding proceedings. Notably, purse bidding allows any promoter to bid and secure the rights to a professional boxing match and its undercard. The promoter making the highest bid bags the fight, and the proceedings then get split between fights, with a pre-decided formula. However, the contention doesn’t appear to be about the purse split, but the revenue the champion might collect.

Fundora, 21-1-1, can relinquish his WBO strap and fight ‘The Truth’ for the WBC title if he wants. He can avoid Crawford, who leveraged his ‘super champion’ status with WBO to secure the mandatory tag for the winner of Tszyu and Fundora. But who will the 26-year-old champion choose?

Read More: “It’s Good”: Sebastian Fundora Responds to Possible Errol Spence Jr and Terence Crawford Fight Saga

Fundora conundrum: a rematch with Tim Tszyu or choosing ‘The Truth’ over ‘Bud’

Fundora addressed the same concerns when he appeared at the post-fight press conference. While the Florida native was open to the idea of fighting whoever was presented to him, he labeled Spence Jr. as a “great opportunity” and a “match made in heaven.” He continued, “But Terence Crawford is the best fighter in the world. I would like to fight him.”

Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, has clarified that there was no rematch clause with Tszyu. But he would prioritize the income of his fighter, which effectively eliminates a rematch with Tszyu. It remains to be seen whether Fundora will fight Crawford with the unified belts on the line or would be happy to drop the WBO gold strap to pursue the Spence Jr. fight.

What do you make of this upcoming fight between Sebastian Fundora and Terence Crawford? Do you believe Fundora will fight Crawford or relinquish the title? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: “You Look like a Linebacker”: Terence Crawford Reacts as Errol Spence Jr Calls Out Sebastian Fundora