WBO Would Not Sanction Fundora–Spence: Explanation from the Head of the Organization

Gustavo Olivieri, President of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), has confirmed the cancellation of the fight between WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora (21–1–1, 13 KOs) and former junior welterweight champion Errol Spence (28–1, 22 KOs).

Olivieri wrote:

“WBO would not approve a Fundora–Spence bout for the following reasons:

1. Spence has been inactive for 1 year and 5 months;

2. In his last fight, he suffered a technical knockout defeat;

3. He is not ranked in the junior middleweight division;

4. He has never fought in the junior middleweight division.

5. Approving a different decision would be unfair to other boxers who are ranked in this weight class.”

One of the potential replacement opponents for Fundora, in place of Spence, is Charles Conwell (21–0, 16 KOs).

In March, Sebastian Fundora defeated Tim Tszyu by split decision. Errol Spence last stepped into the ring in July 2023, when he lost by a third-round technical knockout to Terence Crawford.