Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz says WBO mandatory Xander Zayas could be next for WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora unless he takes a unification fight against the IBF or WBA champ.
Undisputed Dreams
Fundora’s goal is to become undisputed at 154. So, if he can fight one of the other two belt-holders, he’ll take it next and put the mandatory defense on hold against Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs). Lewkowicz says Fundora will not vacate his WBO or WBC titles. He will defend against his mandatory challengers because he respects the sport.
Last Saturday night, Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs) scored a fourth-round technical knockout of Chordale Booker in a voluntary defense at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. It was a fight designed for ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora to get the ring rust out from twelve months of inactivity since his victory over WBO 154-lb champion Tim Tszyu on March 30, 2024.
Zayas was trying to prematurely begin promoting the fight by entertaining the ring last Saturday night and asking for a face-off with Fundora, which wasn’t granted.
“It would be no issue to make a fight with Zayas. The only thing is, you never know in boxing. So, we’ll see,” said promoter Sampson Lewkowicz to the media about a fight between WBC and WBO junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora and his WBO mandatory Xander Zayas.
“We need to negotiate, and we have one month to make a decision. The mandatory at this moment is Zayas. So, we cannot talk to the others. It could happen, a unification, and it would overcome the mandatory. If it’s the IBF champion [Bakhram Murtazalev], then they [Xander] need to wait a little bit longer. He’s a young kid anyway.”
IBF champion Murtazaliev posted on X last night, congratulating Fundora for his victory and letting him know, “I’m ready” to start negotiating a unification fight next. If Sebastian and Lewkowicz want to do a unification, this would be their chance.
120-Day Clock
“At this moment, we’re waiting for the letter from the WBO. We’ll say right away if we want it or we don’t want it. We don’t wait a month to make a decision, but if we have an opportunity to make much more money in a unification,” said Lewkowicz. “Actually, he [Fundora] will fight for the same money because he wants to reach his four titles.”
The WBO president has already said that they want Xander Zayas to fight for the belt next within 120 days. Fundora will need to decide whether he wants that match to happen next. It could be a better-paying fight for them than facing Murtazaliev.
“I cannot make that decision as a promoter. It’s up to Fundora, but definitely, the #1 at this moment is Zayas,” said Lewkowicz. “He’s the mandatory. We need to honor the mandatory. The only thing that could happen is the unification because it would be more important than the money. He wants to be undisputed. He will never [vacate his WBO title].
“The only thing is if it comes the opportunity to fight for the IBF. So, he makes an exception, and then he goes back, but he will honor the mandatories. Boxing is more than about money,” said Sampson about Fundora. “Many boxers will sell their soul for money. Sometimes, you have to think for the good for the sport. They are the two champions, WBA and IBF and Zayas,” said Lewkowicz on what the best fights for Fundora.
It’s a tough decision for Fundora to make about whether to fight Zayas or go for the unification clash against one of the champions at 154. If he believes in himself, he should go after the fight against Murtazaliev. WBA champion Terence Crawford is going to be busy for the remainder of this year, fighting Canelo Alvarez in September.
Last Updated on 03/23/2025
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