WBC/WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, says he does not expect Terence Crawford to show interest in taking the WBO title fight against Fundora until he has exhausted his efforts to clinch the money fight against Canelo Alvarez.
Mexican star Canelo hasn’t ruled out a fight with Crawford happening, but he would have to be paid well to do it because it’s a fight he wants. Canelo gets nothing legacy-wise out of fighting him.
Lewkowcicz told Boxingscene he thinks Crawford will wait until Canelo defends his unified super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga on September 14 before deciding whether to look in Fundora’s direction. He believes that Crawford just wants the money, not the legacy, and he will try to get the Canelo fight.
Fundora’s confidence against an aging Crawford
If the fight against Canelo doesn’t happen, a bout against WBC and WBO 154-lb champion Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) could take place. Lewkowicz is confident that the 6’6″ Fundora will beat the 37-year-old Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) with how he looked in his debut at 154 against WBA champion Israil Madrimov on August 3rd. He notes that Crawford barely won the fight.
Fundora is a much tougher opponent than Madrimov, especially on offense, and Crawford will be beaten more than he has ever been in his career. He might not last long under the punishment.
It’s unclear if the Saudis would be interested in financing Crawford’s fight against Fundora, as his bout against Madrimov didn’t do well on PPV.
Crawford isn’t popular enough to put money into him fighting Fundora or anyone. He doesn’t have the reach with casual boxing fans unless he’s fighting a popular fighter who can bring the fans in, as we saw when Terence had a ride a few years ago when he fought star Errol Spence have.
Last updated on 29/08/2024
