Spence Vs. Fundora Planned For January; Fans React – ‘From A KO To A Title Shot’
Errol Spence Jr. will reportedly face Sebastian Fundora sometime early next year in January.
Spence has not had a boxing fight since getting stopped by Terence Crawford last year. He was dropped three times before the referee waved the fight off in the ninth round. The defeat was the first of his career, as he missed out on becoming the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era. Talks of a rematch with Crawford broke down as Bud moved up to 154 pounds.
Crawford beat Israil Madrimov in his first fight in the weight class to become a four-division champion with the WBA belt. Meanwhile, Spence underwent cataract surgery over his right eye. Following Fundora’s victory over Tim Tszyu, Spence jumped into the ring to say he wanted that fight. Fundora won the WBO and WBC belts with a split decision over Tim Tszyu at 154 pounds.
Spence vs. Fundora
A win for Spence over Fundora makes him a unified champion, setting up the narrative for a rematch with Crawford at 154 pounds. Following Spencer’s defeat to Crawford, there were suggestions that he struggled to make the welterweight limit. There were also claims that his two car accidents, one of which resulted in a detached retina, may have had an impact on the fight since he was no longer the same fighter.
“A lot of people take it lightly just because I came back and fought and all that but that’s serious stuff. It’s not too many people that go high speed in a Ferrari and get thrown from a Ferrari, land on solid concrete and still be here to talk today, still survive, still be coherent and everything. That was traumatic and a brutal experience that I went through…I’ve [always] been rating him (Crawford) high, I’ve rated him super high. It definitely wasn’t my night, but you know I definitely want to get that back,” Spence stated
Spence’s Future
Outside of facing Fundora, Spence has been planning for his life after boxing. He signed Frank Martin under his management company as Spence promoted him for his fight against Gervonta Davis. However, Martin would fall short as Davis knocked him out to retain his WBA Lightweight Title. However, Spence looked back at the experience with great pleasure, stating that he could pursue this after boxing.
He admitted that he is no longer the same fighter following his two car crashes, while Spence is also struggling with his set-up. He left his trainer, Derrick James, following the Crawford fight. However, they are not on good terms after James sued Spence for unpaid wages relating to the Crawford purse. But if Spence can overcome his issues outside of the ring and put up a statement win against Fundora, then his name will be back in big-time boxing again. But another defeat will increase the calls on him to retire since he took a lot of punishment in the Crawford loss.
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