The WBO has called for Sebastian Fundora to defend his junior middleweight belt against Terence Crawford next.
The news means that both sides have 30 days to agree on a deal before purse bids are ordered. Fundora holds the WBO and WBC belts after having beaten Tim Tszyu. Fundora has been linked with the Errol Spence Jr. fight. However, there has been no confirmation from either side regarding the date. Meanwhile, Crawford became a four-weight world champion after beating Israil Madrimovto win the WBA belt in his first fight at 154.
While it was a unanimous decision, Eddie Hearn felt his fighter had been hard done by, suggesting it was a lot closer than the scorecards indicated. In his post-fight comments, Crawford called out Canelo Alvarez for a fight at 168. Hearn clarified those comments, hinting that Crawford could retire if he does not secure the Canelo fight. But a bout with Tszyu takes Crawford a step closer to unifying, knowing a win only leaves him with the IBF belt to secure.
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“[They have 30 days to] negotiate and reach an agreement for the above-referenced WBO Jr. Middleweight Mandatory Championship Contest. If an accord is not reached within the timeframe stated herein, a purse bid will be ordered per the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.
“The minimum acceptable bid in the WBO Jr. Middleweight Division is $200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars). Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process,” WBO
Crawford must now weigh up whether he wants a legacy or a big payday. A Fundora fight offers Crawford a chance to become a three-weight undisputed champion following his feats at 140 and 147. That would set him apart from the other fighters, such as Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue, the only two other fighters to have joined him as undisputed in two weight divisions.
However, a Fundora fight does not offer a massive purse that Crawford could get by fighting Canelo or Jaron Ennis. At 37, Crawford is at the latter end of his career. Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, felt Crawford would only box his man if he could not get the Canelo fight.
That has left the ball in Canelo’s camp and the Saudis if they were willing to make a big offer. Canelo requested $200 million to fight David Benavidez. While Canelo will likely get less than that figure for a Crawford fight, it will still be a high number.
“I’m waiting on an offer now, and I’m certain one will not come until after the 14th. I’d like to find out right now if [Crawford’s] going to fight for the money or the titles. I believe he wants the money. [Crawford] will do everything he can to fight Canelo, and [his team] will not call me until after the fight,” Lewkowicz said
“I’m not saying that fight can’t happen. That order doesn’t matter,” Alvarez stated
