WBO sets deadline on Sebastian Fundora for fight with Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov winner
Sebastian Fundora pulled off one of the upsets of the year last month with a career-best win to claim the WBO super-welterweight title, but picked up an injury and therefore scuppered plans for a Terence Crawford fight in the process. ]Following on from news that Crawford will instead fight Israil Madrimov, the WBO have announced that Fundora must face the winner of that fight by a certain date.
Fundora dethroned undefeated champion Tim Tszyu shortly after Crawford enforced his right to become a WBO ‘super champion’ and therefore mandatory challenger for the 154lb title, but an injury to ‘The Towering Inferno’ caused a delay to the fight.
Rather than wait, ‘Bud’ has decided to tackle WBA champion Madrimov, but the WBO have now announced that the bout will also be for the WBO interim title and that Fundora must defend his belt against the winner before the end of the year.
“Having carefully reviewed and appraised the facts and particularities stated herein, having reviewed the relevant provisions, and having examined our governing rules and regulations, this Committee resolves as follows:
The WBO Championship Committee hereby rules as follows:
- Sebastian Fundora retains his status as WBO World Jr. Middleweight Champion.
- Sebastian Fundora must defend his WBO Jr. Middleweight Championship against the WBO Interim Champion no later than December 31, 2024. Failure to comply with this condition will result in the WBO Jr. Middleweight Championship being declared vacant “Ipso Facto” and the WBO Interim Champion be elevated to “Full Champion” status automatically.
- If Sebastian Fundora is unavailable for whatever reasons and/or circumstances to fight the WBO Interim Champion within the period stated herein (no later than December 31, 2024), the WBO Jr. Middleweight Championship shall be declared vacant “Ipso Facto” and the WBO Interim Champion be elevated to “Full Champion” status.”