Spence Could Retire After Fighting Fundora ‘Crawford Broke Him’

Sebastian Fundora and Errol Spence Jr. will box each other at 154 pounds in October, with Spence hinting at his retirement.

Fundora is the current WBC and WBO Junior Middleweight Champion, who is coming off a split-decision win over  Tim Tszyu. The win was marred by controversy due to a big cut over Tszyu’s hairline. The Australian dominated the earlier rounds before he connected on Fundora’s elbow, resulting in the bleeding.

The fight could arguably have been stopped at the moment of the cut and declared a no-contest. However, Tszyu showed no desire to stop fighting, as he continued but was not the same fighter. Tszyu was expected to face Fundora in a rematch. But after Fundora’s win, Spence walked into the ring, indicating his desire to take the fight. Now, Spence has been confirmed as the opponent. 

Fundora vs. Spence

“Sebastian Fundora and Errol Spence Jr. have agreed to a deal for a WBC junior middleweight title fight in October in Dallas, sources told ESPN. PBC’s hope is to stage the Prime Video PPV event at AT&T Stadium if the finalized date fits into the Dallas Cowboys’ home schedule,” Mike Coppinger said 

It is a critical moment for Spence, who has not fought since last year. He suffered a ninth-round TKO against Terence Crawford. Crawford dropped him three times on his way to becoming the first Undisputed Welterweight Champion of the four-belt era. Spence suffered much damage with suggestions that he could not make 147 longer.

He pursued the Crawford rematch, only for it to break down. Spence would then have cataract surgery over his right eye. This is Spence’s first fight at 154 pounds. A win makes him unified at 154 and could set up a rematch with Crawford. Crawford will fight Israil Madrimov on August 3 for the WBA Junior Middleweight Belt. If Crawford comes through that, he could face Spence since Bud is mandatory for the WBO. 

Spence’s Future

Nevertheless, there are suggestions that this could be Spence’s last fight. He has already had numerous scares in his career before the Crawford fight. Spence suffered two car accidents, one of which resulted in a detached retina. He has already set himself up for the rest of his life with the amount of money he has made in boxing. At 34, Spence is at the latter end of his career.

He has recently split from his trainer, Derrick James, showing that he will be with a new person in his corner for this fight. Therefore, trying to create a new training relationship at this stage of his career will not be easy. Spence is also in a legal battle with James, who alleges that the boxer owes him money.

James has taken legal action, stating he entitled to 10 percent of Spence’s $25 million purse and PPV revenue for the Crawford fight. The trainer was allegedly paid only $350,000, resulting in James filing a lawsuit. Spence has also hinted that this could be his last fight.

“Might be last time you see me,” Spence stated