WBO orders Crawford vs. Fundora

The WBO has ordered 154-lb champion Sebastian Fundora to defend his title against interim champ Terence Crawford in a unification fight. The two fighters have been given 30 days to negotiate a deal before a purse bid is ordered.

Crawford, now 36, has made it clear that he’s only interested in fights that offer significant financial rewards and legacy-building opportunities, and a matchup with Fundora doesn’t fit the bill. Fundora would present a tough challenge for Crawford, who has shown signs of aging and may struggle to compete effectively at 154 pounds.

The risk of losing to Fundora is likely too great for Crawford, as a defeat would increase his chances of securing a big-money fight with Canelo. Crawford, who has already achieved considerable success in his career, is looking for a final, massive payday before retiring, and Fundora doesn’t offer that. Instead, Crawford is holding out hope that His Excellency Turki Alalshikh will deliver the Canelo fight.

Fundora, who is 6’6″ and currently holds the WBC and WBO titles, would be a dangerous opponent for Crawford. The towering Fundora has previously dismantled opponents like Erickson Lubin and Tim Tszyu, and he would likely pose significant problems for the shorter, older Crawford. If Crawford were to engage in a jabbing contest with Fundora, he would be at a severe disadvantage.

Given Crawford’s apparent reluctance to face Fundora, the WBO may need to find another contender to challenge the towering champion. Fundora himself may decide to vacate the WBO title if Crawford does agree to the fight, as he has his sights set on a more winnable and lucrative matchup against Errol Spence. A fight with Spence would likely generate more interest and money, making it a more appealing option for Fundora.