WBO Allows Fundora to Conduct Voluntary Title Defense

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) committee has granted permission for WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) to conduct a voluntary title defense.

The American boxer may face any active contender from the WBO's top 15 world rankings. The winner of this bout will be required to face WBA champion and WBO interim champion Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) within 180 days after the voluntary defense. Failure to meet this condition will result in the committee declaring the WBO junior middleweight title vacant.

Recall that the WBO ordered Fundora and Crawford to begin negotiations for a fight and provided a 30-day period to reach an agreement before a purse bid would be announced. However, both parties decided to postpone their matchup until the second half of 2025.

The most likely opponent for Sebastian was Errol Spence Jr. (28-1, 22 KOs), but he is not in the top 15 rankings, and the WBO does not support this fight.

Sebastian Fundora last stepped into the ring in March against Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs), winning by split decision.