LAS VEGAS — Sebastian Fundora will stop Terence Crawford out if they were to ever fight.
That’s according to Fundora’s promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, who spoke to World Boxing News in recent weeks, ahead of an extension the WBO granted for the ordered bout.
Though relatively new to the super welterweight division, Crawford is established as a pound-for-pound modern great thanks to the historic thrashing he gave long-time rival Errol Spence Jr in 2023.
Fundora, meanwhile, is a rising force who went from boy to man earlier this year when he emerged triumphant after a bloody battle with Terminator-like Tim Tszyu.
Per previous WBN reporting, it was clear Fundora had options regardless of whether they involved a Tszyu rematch next year, a Spence fight in December, or the mandated match with Crawford.
Lewkowicz has his preferred fight. “Crawford is the only one for me,” the veteran promoter told us in Las Vegas. “He is the mandatory, and we try to honor the mandatory.
He continued: “However, Fundora want, as well as my promise, we want a big fight.”
Tszyu challenges Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF super welterweight world title October 19 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida — a fight WBN confirmed way back in August.
Murtazaliev has a pro boxing record of 22 wins and 16 knockouts but Tszyu will be, by far, his toughest test to date. As such, Lewkowicz is tipping Tszyu to topple Murtazaliev this month
“I strongly believe Tim Tszyu will beat Bakhram Murtazaliev, the IBF champion,” Lewkowicz told us, adding that he anticipates a Fundora vs Tszyu rematch materializing down the line because of verbal contracts he wants to honor both with Tszyu’s side, and with Premier Boxing Champions.
“We can unify, and that will be the best for boxing,” he said.
Regardless, Lewkowicz and Fundora remain focused on one fight — the one the WBO mandated against Crawford.
Should that come to fruition, Lewkowicz expects a career-best achievement for his fighter. “I believe that he will knock him out if we” fight Crawford, the promoter said.
“I’d be so excited to have that fight.”
We will know more about the fight in the coming week as The Ring reported October 1 that the WBO granted a 10-day extension from that date.
Fundora and Crawford’s representatives have until October 10 to negotiate the fight before it goes to purse bids — meaning an outside party could make a play to host the fight.
By Alan Dawson