Boxing’s pound-for-pound king, Terence Crawford, has found himself at the center of controversy after making bold claims regarding WBO and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora being knocked out in sparring. Crawford, in a video posted earlier this week, told Bernie the Boxer, “If Fundora’s licking his chops over my performance vs Israil Madrimov, then I should be licking my chops because Madrimov knocked Fundora out in sparring.”
The claim quickly caught fire, but Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, was quick to refute it. Lewkowicz explained that after speaking with Fundora’s coach and Madrimov’s team, including trainer Joel Diaz, there was no truth to Crawford’s statement. Diaz confirmed that Madrimov’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, was particularly upset by the false accusations, noting that neither Fundora nor Madrimov had been knocked down during their sparring session from over five years ago.
Lewkowicz emphasized the camaraderie and respect within the Coachella Valley boxing community, where both fighters have trained. He stated, “The Boxing Community in the Coachella Valley is extremely tight-knit. We all respect each other for the work we put into our boxers. Coaches’ Etiquette is an unbroken rule that we all abide by.” He further called Crawford’s comments “fabrications out of frustration” and made it clear that Madrimov’s team, which he described as “God-fearing men,” would never disrespect Fundora or spread lies.
Lewkowicz went on to demand an apology from Crawford, urging the welterweight champion to admit his mistake. “Terence Crawford should apologize for being so naive. A great champion like him should be above this kind of childishness,” Lewkowicz said.
With tensions simmering between the two camps, the stakes may rise even further if a scheduled purse bid between Fundora and Crawford for a potential WBA, WBO, and WBC title unification fight goes ahead. Crawford was expected to take time off for the rest of the year following the October 10 auction, which could allow Fundora to face Errol Spence. However, Lewkowicz hinted that Crawford might now feel he has something to prove.
Lewkowicz concluded by stating that the fight between Crawford and Fundora is still likely to happen. He criticized Crawford for engaging in “schoolyard gossip” and warned that the champion should focus on training instead of rumors. “The fight is already going to happen. It’s bad business for Crawford to be trying to make a unified world champion look bad by spreading stupid rumors. You’re 37 years old. Spend your time training instead. You’re going to need it,” Lewkowicz said.
