The WBO has accepted a 10-day extension request by Terence Crawford to proceed negotiations with unified junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora. The 2 fighters have till October tenth to agree earlier than a handbag bid is ordered.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) holds the WBA 154-lb title and WBO interim belts, whereas the 26-year-old Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) possesses the WBC and WBO belts.
On the WBO’s web site, they state that Crawford and Fundora have till October 10 to conform to a deal earlier than a handbag bid is ordered.
It could be a troublesome combat for Crawford to face the 6’6″ Fundora, who can punch a bit of youthful, larger, and extra energetic along with his profession. Fundora is a pure 154-pounder, not like Crawford, and he’s bold.
Final August, Crawford got here near shedding to WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov of their headliner on the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
The combat confirmed that Crawford wasn’t the identical fighter at 154 that he was at 147. Age, inactivity, and competing in a much bigger weight class towards higher opposition confirmed that Crawford could not take pleasure in the identical success he did previously.
If Crawford defeats WBC/WBO champion Fundora, he’ll maintain three titles at 154 and can solely want the IBF title to grow to be the undisputed champ. Successful that title would make Crawford a three-division undisputed champion, which might be spectacular for his legacy. The IBF title is held by Bakhram Murtazaliev.
If Tim Tszyu wins the IBF belt, Crawford could have a troublesome combat on his fingers towards him as a result of he punches very exhausting and will reap the benefits of his age and lack of dimension.
This isn’t a sure-thing win for Crawford as a result of Fundora has expertise and is a nightmare to combat as a result of his dimension and excessive output. If the previous four-division world champion Crawford loses, he can overlook about his dream of a mega-payday combat towards Canelo Alvarez.
The not too long ago turned 37-year-old Crawford is selecting to proceed preventing at 154 slightly than sitting and ready for unified tremendous middleweight champion Canelo to present him a title shot at for his three belts.
There are nonetheless good cash fights for Crawford at junior middleweight towards fighters like Fundora, Tim Tszyu, Vergil Ortiz Jr., and Serhii Bohachuk. Nonetheless, for Crawford to have success towards these youthful, stronger, and larger fighters, he’s bought to combat extra typically than yearly.
Crawford’s objective is more likely to seize the WBO undisputed at 154 and never mess with harmful punchers like Bohachuk and Vergil Ortiz Jr. until he completely should.
To beat these younger lions at 154, Crawford should combat a minimum of twice yearly. It received’t work if he sticks to his once-a-year routine.
