Spence Fails To Get Fundora; Should He Retire?

Errol Spence Jr. will not fight Sebastian Fundora next after the WBO did not consent to it. 

This is a massive blow for Spence, who has been linked with a title fight immediately after his loss against Terence Crawford. Crawford knocked out Spence in the ninth round after having dropped him three times to become the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era. It gave Spence the first defeat of his career as he underwent cataract surgery on his right eye. Spence blamed that as the reason why he was hit so many times. There were also suggestions that the weight cut might have been difficult on Spence since he is much bigger than welterweight.

There were negotiations over a rematch, but talks broke down as Crawford eventually moved up 154 pounds. Crawford defeated Israil Madrimov in his first fight at the weight class to become the WBA Junior Middleweight Champion. Spence was targeting Fundora after the latter defeated Tim Tszyu to become the WBO and WBC Junior Middleweight Champion. A victory against Fundora would have created the circumstances for a rematch with Crawford at 154 pounds for a unification. 

Spence Vs. Fundora

There are suggestions that if the fight had been at 154 pounds, Spence would have come out victorious. However, Spence has not boxed at 154 pounds nor is he ranked by any of the organizations in that weight class. That created the narrative that he should not get a title shot immediately in his first fight at 154. That has now come true, meaning Spence must look elsewhere. 

“The WBO would not sanction Fundora/Spence due to the latter being (1) inactive for 1 year & 5 months; (2) a TKO loss in the last bout; (3) not rated in 154 lbs., & 4) has never fought in 154 lbs. Ruling otherwise would be a disservice to the rest of the 154 world-rated contenders,” Mike Coppinger 

What’s Next?

Spence is a former unified welterweight champion, meaning he has reached the top of the sport. There is no pressure on him to enter the boxing ring since he has secured his financial future from the sport. He also risks taking too much punishment since the Crawford fight did take a lot out of him. But Spence must ask himself whether he wants to go out on a loss. Fighters are ultimately remembered only for their last performance. Spence looked like a shadow of a man who once dominated the welterweight division. 

But there is also a danger that he risks staying in the sport for too long. He also suffered two car crashes before the Crawford fight. One of the car crashes resulted in a detached retina. While that cannot be used as an excuse for his performance against Crawford, Spence admitted that he was never the same. He must ask himself whether he wants to continue fighting without securing belts. He will ultimately earn a lot less. At the age of 34, title shots are not going to come easier now that he is in the latter part of his career. And that has left Spence with plenty to ponder.

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