Fundora Won; Spence’s Title Shot Never Happened
As of January 17, 2025, a planned Sebastian Fundora–Errol Spence Jr. bout had fallen apart. The WBO had already said it would not sanction the contest for its junior middleweight title because Spence was inactive, coming off a loss, and had not fought or been ranked at 154 pounds. That ruling affected the WBO belt; it did not itself prohibit the fighters from meeting for Fundora’s WBC title. Fundora’s manager said Spence pulled out, ending the proposed matchup.
Why the WBO withheld its title
Spence had not boxed since his July 2023 stoppage loss to Terence Crawford, and the proposed Fundora bout would have been his first fight at junior middleweight. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri said the organization would not recognize Spence as a challenger for its title under those circumstances. Fundora could still have fought Spence for the WBC championship, but the WBO belt would not have been at stake.
The fight fell through
On January 16, Fundora’s manager Sampson Lewkowicz told BoxingScene that Spence had pulled out. Spence then posted, “I’ll be back when I’m ready.” With the matchup off, Fundora needed another opponent for his first defense; this was not simply a case of the WBO selecting a different challenger for a confirmed fight.
Sources
- The Ring: Fundora seeks a new challenger after the Spence fight is called off (January 16, 2025)
- BoxingScene: WBO will not recognize Spence as a title challenger against Fundora
- talkSPORT: WBO president explains why the belt would not be at stake
- The Ring: Spence responds after the Fundora bout falls through (January 17, 2025)
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
