Fundora vs Spence on deck after Terence Crawford steps aside
Errol Spence Jr is no. 1 with the WBC at super welterweight
Mike Coppinger reports that Sebastian Fundora’s WBO mandatory challenger, Terence Crawford, has agreed to step aside and allow Fundora to face former unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr in a voluntary defense.
Per Coppinger, Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KO) and Spence (28-1, 22 KO) “already struck a deal” and expect to meet “in Texas in early 2025.” Three of Spence’s last five fights have taken place on Arlington, while “Towering Inferno” last fought there in 2020.
For reasons unknown, “The Truth” sits atop the WBC’s super welterweight rankings despite never fighting at 154. He’ll enter the ring having fought just twice in the previous four years, disfiguring Yordenis Ugas in April 2022 before suffering a comparatively brutal mauling at the hands of Crawford 15 months later.
It’s unclear whether Crawford, who’s been vocal about only wanting to fight Canelo Alvarez, will take another bout while Fundora and Spence sort things out. Crawford hasn’t fought more than once in a calendar year since 2019.
AS for the fight itself, it should be entertaining. Fundora’s never been in a bad scrap and he’s vulnerable enough to make it interesting despite his massive height and reach advantages. We’ll let you know when we’ve got more info; a spot on the January 25th David Benavidez vs David Morrell Jr show would make sense.