Sebastian Fundora Next Fight: Mandatory Challenger Confirmed

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri has previously announced he would recommend the organisation make Xander Zayas the super welterweight mandatory challenger. Following Sebastian Fundora’s dominating victory over Chordale Booker and the two (Fundora and Zayas) speaking in the post-fight press conference, it has been confirmed that Zayas (21-0, 13 KOs) is the mandatory and in pole position to face “The Towering Inferno” next. Dan Rafael has revealed stipulations from the WBO via his Fight Freaks Unite Substack.

Sebastian Fundora Next Fight: Mandatory for WBO Crown Confirmed

Xander Zayas in Pole Position to Face Sebastian Fundora

Following Fundora (22-1-1, 14 KOs) vs Booker, Zayas posted via his X account “Congratulations, Fundora.” “See you in the summer.”

Zayas also spoke following the official announcement that he’s the WBO mandatory: “It’s something I’ve been working on for five years into my pro career,” Zayas said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to happen. Now it’s finally here and I accomplished it. I did everything I needed to do to be in this position.

“The timing is right for me to fight for the title because I always said it — I don’t want to fight for the title before my 20th fight and I want to be able to take the steps necessary to contend for the title, and I feel like I’ve already done that. I beat former world champions, contenders, and now it’s my time to shine.”

Terence Crawford has also informed the WBO that he will not return to the division and intends to vacate his interim belt and mandatory challenger status once his mega-fight with Canelo is confirmed.

Negotiations and WBO Parameters

Zayas posed for photos with Fundora after the fight and was present at the post-fight press conference, speaking of his confidence in defeating Fundora should they meet. Dan Rafael reveals during his Fight Freaks Unite report that both teams plan to meet in Las Vegas to discuss a summer fight, as revealed by the Zayas camp to FFU.

The WBO has also issued parameters regarding the fight:

• Negotiations should begin immediately with no intervening bouts.
• They were given 20 days to make a deal and if no deal is reached the WBO will schedule a purse bid.
• If there is a purse bid the minimum offer is $200,000, although the rights to the bout would certainly go for into the seven figures.

Should this fight happen, Zayas will be taking a step up in class but clearly has an impressive skillset; with the precision of his punches standing out. His accuracy and effectiveness in fighting on the inside will be key to any potential success against “The Towering Inferno.”