SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 66: ERROL SPENCE WILL FACE TIM TSZYU VS. SEBASTIAN FUNDORA WINNER SAY LEONARD ELLERBE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 30 Mar 2024
Promoter Leonard Ellerbe announced that Errol Spence Jr. will be the fighter who will face the winner of Saturday’s fight between WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora. It won't be Terence Crawford because of Spence's closeness to PBC chief Al Haymon.
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Mayweather Promotions CEO Ellerbe reasoned out that Crawford, even if he is a good challenger, is a free agent and is not connected with PBC. But Spence is part of the PBC family and he belongs to the in-group. Even if Crawford defeated Spence and some aficionados consider him as the best fighter in the world.
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The problem with Bud is that he is not connected with PBC and that's the big reason why he could not fight the winner of the Tszyu vs. Fundora match. Ellerbe also explained that Spence is the bigger draw for Tszyu or Fundora than Crawford.
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Crawford 's victory over Spence does not make him more popular to the boxing fans. Crawford has not signed a fight to get back to the ring to bolster his sensational victory over Spence, and he has not fought since then.
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“Errol Spence. It’s no knock on Crawford, but Errol Spence is family,” said Ellerbe over Fighthype when he was asked who will most likely face the winner of Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora between Spence and Crawford. “He has a relationship with PBC for a number of years. Terence Crawford is a beast, but he’s not with PBC. He’s a free agent. You know how that goes. I know the PPV numbers. Errol Spence against the winner of that fight [Tszyu vs. Fundora] is a bigger fight [than Crawford against the winner].
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Tim Tszyu has the chance to add another super welterweight world title to his collection when he takes on Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas on Sunday. Tszyu was slated to fight Keith Thurman, but the latter was forced to withdraw due to a bicep injury suffered in training.
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Tszyu, age 29 of Sydney, Australia, held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-middleweight title since 2023. He is the son of former light-welterweight world champion of boxing, Kostya Tszyu.
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Fundora, age 26 of West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, held the WBC interim light middleweight title between 2022 and 2023.
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From NBA.com Kia MVP Ladder:
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 26.1 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 9 apg
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last week’s ranking: T-3
Season stats: 33.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 9.8 apg
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 30.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 6.3 apg
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: T-3
Season stats: 30.7 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 6.4 apg
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Season stats: 27.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 4.9 apg
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The next five are:
6. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings (Last week’s ranking: No. 6)
7. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (Last week’s ranking: No. 8)
8. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (Last week’s ranking: No. 9)
9. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers (Last week’s ranking: unranked)
10. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers (Last week’s ranking: No. 7)
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Five more players are listed alphabetically: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves; Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves; Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers; Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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