Terence Crawford got a surprise order from the WBO. The organization wants him to fight Sebastian Fundora for the super-welterweight title. This comes after Crawford couldn't get the fight he really wanted with Canelo Alvarez.
Crawford, a 36-year-old boxer from Omaha, has won titles in four weight classes. He recently beat Israil Madrimov in his first super-welterweight fight. But his main goal has been to face Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez at super-middleweight.
Fundora holds both the WBO and WBC titles at super-welterweight. He won these belts in a tough fight against Tim Tszyu. Fundora's promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, doesn't think Crawford will take the fight.
"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."
Lewkowicz thinks Crawford will wait to see if he can get the Canelo fight instead. Canelo, who's from Mexico, will fight Edgar Berlanga on September 14. He hasn't said no to fighting Crawford, but he doesn't seem too excited about it either.
If Canelo does agree to fight Crawford, we might not see that match until early 2025. But if Crawford decides to take the fight with Fundora, Lewkowicz thinks it won't go well for him.
"[Crawford] is 37 years old, and Sebastian Fundora will kick his f***ing ass. If [Crawford] fights the way he fought [against Madrimov], he has no shot – he will get knocked out by Fundora."
The WBO has given Crawford and Fundora 30 days to agree on the fight before they start taking bids from promoters. Fundora had wanted to fight Errol Spence Jr, but Crawford beat Spence to become the undisputed champion at welterweight.
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We'll have to wait and see what Crawford decides to do. Will he go for the titles against Fundora or hold out hope for a big payday against Canelo? The boxing world will be watching closely.