The Potential Showdown Between Sebastian Fundora and Terence Crawford

BY BOXING HIT STAFF-

The World Boxing Organization has made a bold move by ordering WBC/WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora to face interim champion Terence Crawford. With Fundora boasting a record of 21-1-1 with 13 knockouts, and Crawford holding a spotless record of 41-0 with 31 KOs, this matchup has the potential to be a major draw in the boxing world.

The Negotiation Window

Both fighters have a 30-day negotiation window to agree on terms before a purse bid is made. While this can be an exciting opportunity for both boxers to showcase their skills, there are doubts about whether this fight will come to fruition. Both Fundora and Crawford have expressed interest in facing other opponents, which could derail the plans for this matchup.

Terence Crawford faces a dilemma in deciding whether to pursue a showdown with Fundora or to chase a lucrative fight against Canelo Alvarez at super middleweight. Becoming undisputed at 154 would require Crawford to defeat Fundora and then potentially face the winner of the Tim Tszyu vs. Bakhram Murtazaliev bout. The risk involved in this path may deter Crawford from taking on Fundora, as it could jeopardize his chances of securing a big payday against Alvarez.

Sebastian Fundora’s towering presence at 6’6” presents a unique challenge for opponents, including Terence Crawford. Fundora’s ability to absorb shots and maintain a high work rate could pose problems for Crawford, who struggled in his most recent fight against Israil Madrimov. Fundora’s style of relentless pressure and volume punching could overwhelm Crawford if they were to meet in the ring.

Potential Fight Scenarios

Fundora was originally set to defend his WBC and WBO titles against Errol Spence, but a matchup with Crawford could change his plans. If Fundora decides to take on Crawford, he may have to give up his WBO title in pursuit of this high-profile showdown. However, a clash with Spence could offer Fundora a significant payday, especially if external parties like His Excellency Turki Alalshikh are willing to contribute to the event.

Crawford’s Recent Performance

Terence Crawford’s narrow victory over Israil Madrimov raised questions about his capabilities at 154. Despite his undefeated record, Crawford struggled against Madrimov, indicating that he may have reached a plateau in terms of his performance in his fourth division at the age of 36. This raises doubts about Crawford’s ability to handle the relentless pressure and output of a fighter like Fundora.

As the boxing world eagerly awaits the decision of Crawford and Fundora, the potential showdown between these two talented fighters could have significant implications for the junior middleweight division. With each fighter bringing unique strengths and challenges to the table, a matchup between Fundora and Crawford has the potential to be a defining moment in the careers of both boxers. Only time will tell whether this fight will come to fruition and what the outcome will be if it does.