Crawford v Fundora... didn't see this happening...

[ykdadamaja]

Bud' has agreed to step aside and let Fundora proceed with a voluntary defence of his titles against former foe Errol Spence next.

https://talksport.com/boxing/2151318...stian-fundora/

This was the original plan, wasn't it?

[Master]

Bud' has agreed to step aside and let Fundora proceed with a voluntary defence of his titles against former foe Errol Spence next.

https://talksport.com/boxing/2151318...stian-fundora/

This was the original plan, wasn't it?

Yes that was the plan but things have gone 360 degrees.

[Master]

If Fundora beats Spence then he will keep hold of his belt. But should he fall to defeat then WBO interim champion Terence Crawford will be elevated to full world champion without throwing a punch.

Explaining the WBO's stance on Monday, Olivieri told talkSPORT.com: "During the WBO convention at the ratings proceedings which I was presiding at after being elected, TGB Promotions through their council, Phile Weiss (lawyer) petitioned that Errol Spence be installed within the top ten at 154lbs.

"The purpose was to request that he be allowed to fight Fundora for the [WBO] title and he presented his case with strong arguments.

"But there are some factors that are undisputed: he's been inactive for two years, he's coming off a brutal TKO loss to Terence Crawford and he has never fought at 154lbs nor been rated at 154lbs.

"So I have those facts that are undisputed... You may say 'Errol Spence is one of the biggest names at 154lbs, it's a great fight against Fundora'.

"But based on those facts and the other fighters that are waiting their turn at 154lbs, having fought at 154lbs plus their level activity, their suitable opposition, having won regional titles, having faced rated contenders.

"If I allow Spence to fight Fundora immediately for the title with those facts...

"Would that be a good precedent to set? It would open doors for other petitions, 'Oh you did this in the past, why are you not giving the chance to another fighter?'

"And we have done this in the past, Tim Tszyu wanted to fight Keith Thurman and we didn't approve Thurman.

"And we're not going to sanction that fight [Fundora vs Spence]. Fundora may fight Spence but it will be considered a WBO non-title fight...

"We're going to allow him to proceed with that fight with the condition that if he loses, the title is vacated automatically and Crawford elevated to full champion status."

https://talksport.com/boxing/2403553...-errol-spence/