In the new WBC rankings, Errol Spence was moved to #1 WBC at 154 by junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora.
Leapfrogging in Competition
The World Boxing Council's decision to promote Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) to the #1 spot for Fundira's WBC title is interesting because Errol hasn't fought in ten months since his knockout loss to Terence Crawford.
Spence has never fought at 154, so it's questionable if he's rated #1 with the WBC. But with Spence still at the top, that puts him in a position to challenge Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) for his WBC/WBO junior middleweight titles once his injured nose heals.
The move to the #1 spot in the WBC rankings, allows Spence to jump over the following 154 contenders who have been waiting for their chance to fight for the world title:
2. Charles Conwell
3. Jesus Ramos
4. Erickson Lubin
5. Yoenis Tellez
6. Josh Kelly
7. Xander Zayas
Ryan Garcia's challenge
Former IBF/WBA/WBC welterweight champion Spence has been called out several times by the famous Ryan Garcia on social media this week. Ryan says he wants to fight Spence in August at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
It's unclear if Ryan is willing to fight Spence, but if he's stopped, that could be a big payday for Errol.
That should be a tempting fight offer for Spence because he can make more money fighting Ryan Garcia than Fundora, but the fight doesn't have the same long-term benefits.
The reason Spence's management may have chosen to side with Fundora is that it could lead to a financial dispute with Tim Tszyu and a rematch with Crawford. Those were Spence's only eligible fights at 154, except for a match against the 6'5 Fundora.
Spence's Way Forward
If all goes well for Spence, he will defeat Fundora and Tszyu and then fight Crawford in a big money match. There could also be a Spence rematch against Fundora and Tszyu, depending on how things go in those fights.
It could go badly for Spence if Fundira beats him, sinking his career. Spence is not the type to retire after a loss, so he will likely continue to fight if he is beaten by Fundora.
Still, it would be a bitter pill for Spence, 34, to swallow losing to Fundora. Spence is not new, and it will be difficult for him to bounce back from the loss to 'The Towering Inferno' Fundora.
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