Youngster showdown at half-middleweight: Will it be a duel between double champ Sebastian Fundora and the unbeaten Xander Zayas?
Just one day after his convincing victory over Chordale Booker, the next step for WBC and WBO world champion Sebastian Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs) has already been decided: The WBO has officially ordered that Fundora must enter into negotiations with mandatory challenger Xander Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs). Both teams now have 20 days to reach an agreement – otherwise there will be a purse bid.
No hurdles due to Crawford
The way is clear for this fight as Terence Crawford, holder of the WBA belt and the interim WBO title in the weight class, has announced that he will no longer compete at half-middle. Instead, “Bud” is pursuing a super-duel against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez for the undisputed world super-middleweight championship. Should Canelo win the IBF title from William Scull in May, the megafight could be made official. In this case, Crawford will also relinquish his interim title with the WBO.
Fundora: Back on course for title after TKO win
Fundora had secured the vacant WBC and WBO belts last year with a bloody split-decision win over Tim Tszyu. Last Saturday, he followed this up with a dominant performance against Chordale Booker, who he stopped with a heavy left hook in the fourth round. His only career setback remains his knockout defeat to Brian Mendoza.
Zayas: Young, unbeaten – but untested?
In Xander Zayas, Fundora faces a young, up-and-coming challenger. The 21-year-old from Puerto Rico is unbeaten in 21 fights, most recently winning by technical knockout against Slawa Spomer on February 14. Zayas has never suffered a knockdown, but has not yet fought more than ten rounds. In the rankings, he is not only ranked No. 1 by the WBO, but also No. 2 by the WBC and No. 5 by the IBF.
A potential title fight between Fundora and Zayas therefore promises not only excitement, but also another milestone in the careers of two exceptional young talents in the middleweight division.
Text by Robin Josten