The Terence Crawford Conundrum Should Gain Clarity This Week

Terence Crawford, you’re on the clock.

Boxing fans are counting down the days to September 27, a critical date that could determine the next chapter in Terence “Bud” Crawford’s storied career. The WBO has set this deadline for Crawford and Sebastian Fundora to reach an agreement to stage their highly anticipated junior middleweight title bout. If no deal is reached by then, the fight will go to a purse bid—adding another layer of uncertainty to an already convoluted situation.

In a letter dated August 28, the WBO reissued its mandate for Crawford, the interim junior middleweight champion, to face off against Fundora, the WBO’s full champion in the division. This bout was first ordered in March, but a medical exemption granted to Fundora delayed the process. As per the WBO’s April 24 resolution, Fundora must defend his title by December 31, 2024. Failure to do so will result in Fundora being stripped of his belt, and Crawford would automatically be elevated to full champion status.

Fundora, known as “The Towering Inferno,” has shown no signs of stepping aside. In fact, his team appears ready and willing to face Crawford in the ring. The delay seems to be coming from Crawford’s camp, with the undefeated champion showing little enthusiasm for the mandatory bout. This hesitation has sparked speculation that Crawford may be more focused on landing a high-profile bout against Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, possibly for Cinco de Mayo in 2024.

Since 2019, Crawford has only fought once per calendar year, and many suspect that he has no plans to break that pattern for a fight against Fundora. Should Crawford decide to vacate his interim title and forgo the WBO’s mandatory bout, the door would open for Fundora to defend his belt against Errol Spence Jr. in a potential December pay-per-view clash, rumored to be hosted by PBC on Prime.

For now, all eyes are on September 27. Boxing fans are eager for clarity on Crawford’s next move, as the sport’s landscape could shift dramatically depending on the outcome of these negotiations. Will Crawford finally step into the ring with Fundora, or will he forfeit his WBO position in favor of chasing bigger paydays? The answer should come soon enough.

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