The World Boxing Organization has mandated that Sebastian ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora defend his WBC/WBO junior middleweight titles against mandatory challenger Terence Crawford. With a deadline of April 25th to negotiate a deal, Fundora faces the decision of whether to prioritize a bigger payday against Errol Spence Jr. or to defend his title against Crawford, who has never fought at 154. Fundora’s promoter is pushing for a match with Spence to maximize earnings, pointing out Crawford’s lackluster PPV numbers prior to facing Spence.
Crawford’s Dilemma: Fight Josh Kelly or Hold Out for Money Fights?
Should Fundora decide to vacate the WBO title, Crawford may find himself in a less-than-ideal situation, potentially facing #1 Josh Kelly for the vacant belt. Crawford, known for seeking lucrative fights, would have to weigh the option of a smaller payday against Kelly or forgo his chance at the 154-lb title. Given Crawford’s desire for big-money bouts before retirement, it seems unlikely that he would choose to face Kelly instead of pursuing fights against the likes of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and David Benavidez.
The WBO’s Potential Consequences
If Crawford declines to fight Kelly for the vacant WBO title, the next highest-ranked contender, Erickson Lubin, could step in to face the British fighter. However, Lubin is significantly more competitive than Kelly, potentially resulting in an easy victory for him. This scenario could leave the WBO with a less popular champion and regret over ordering the Fundora-Crawford fight. The organization may find themselves with a mismatched champion in Lubin or an inexperienced one in Kelly.
The WBO’s mandate for Fundora to defend his titles has led to a series of complex decisions for both fighters involved. Fundora must weigh the financial benefits of a match against Spence versus defending his title against Crawford, while Crawford faces the dilemma of fighting a lesser opponent for the vacant title or holding out for more lucrative opportunities. The WBO itself risks ending up with a less-than-ideal champion depending on the outcome of these decisions.