03/13/2025
With Interim WBO Junior Middleweight Champion Terence Crawford seemingly on his way to a super-middleweight mega-fight against Canelo Alvarez, Puerto Rican rising star Xander Zayas is poised to be named the mandatory challenger for WBO and WBC Junior Middleweight Champion Sebastian Fundora. WBO President Gustavo Olivieri confirmed this likelihood in an exclusive interview with Brunch Boxing.
Photo Credit: Top Rank Boxing
“If he [Terence Crawford] would move up, probably he’s not going to move down. So he’ll likely relinquish the 154 interim title,” Olivieri stated. “We would have only one champion. Thereafter, the committee would convene and most likely designate Xander Zayas as the mandatory for Fundora.”
Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs) has steadily built his case as one of the sport’s top young contenders, most recently stopping Germany’s Slawa Spomer via ninth-round TKO on February 14. The 21-year-old Puerto Rican has been groomed as the next major star from the island, and a potential title shot against Fundora would be his biggest opportunity yet.
With Crawford likely vacating the interim WBO title, the organization is expected to install Zayas as the next in line.
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) is preparing for the first defense of his unified title against Chordale Booker on March 22, in a PBC on Amazon Prime main event. After securing his championships with a dramatic victory over Tim Tszyu, the 6’6” “Towering Inferno” now faces a tough challenge in the well-schooled Booker.
According to Olivieri, Fundora’s next obligation is clear:
“Fundora’s WBO mandatory is due. After he fights Booker, at the end of this month, he has to discharge his WBO mandatory.”
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