Terence Crawford faced hefty criticism from the promoter of one of his rivals for winning the WBO title, and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora was knocked out in sparring.

The pound-for-pound king commented on the situation in a video posted this week. Crawford told Bernie the Boxer: “If Fundora is licking his chops after my performance against Israil Madrimov, then I should be licking my chops because Madrimov knocked out Fundora in sparring.”

According to Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, the claims cannot be substantiated. Sampson stated that Fundora’s coach spoke with Madrimov’s coach, Joel Diaz, about Terrance Crawford’s viral statement. During Coach Diaz’s conversation with Coach Fundora, Diaz mentioned that Madrimov’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, was very concerned about false statements Crawford made during a sparring session that took place over five years ago, during which neither of them even touched the canvas.

Sampson added: “Per Madrimov and his entire team have stated that they have nothing but respect for Sebastian Fundora and his entire team and do not disregard lies and disrespect. Coach Fundora responded that “Team Diaz,” Madrimov’s coaching team, is family to him. Everyone has known each other from the Coachella Valley since childhood.

It noted: “The boxing community in the Coachella Valley is extremely tight-knit. We all respect each other for the work we put into our boxers. Coaching etiquette is an unwavering rule that we all follow. There are many ways to fight professionally without fabrication and frustration. Let me repeat: Madrimov and his team are God-fearing people and it is very unlikely that they would ever speak ill of Sebastian Fundora, his sparring sessions and the team. No amount of facts or truth will convince a simpleton that he is wrong.

Lewkowicz urged Crawford to step in and admit he was wrong.

“Terence Crawford should apologize for his naivety,” Lewkowicz said. “A great master like him should be above this kind of childishness.”

The bad blood that exists between both camps could intensify a planned bidding war between Fundora and Crawford for a potential unification of the WBA, WBO and WBC titles.

Crawford was expected to walk away from the auction scheduled for October 10 and take the rest of the year off. This scenario would allow Fundora to face Errol Spence. But since Lewkowicz said, “There’s no need for a champion like Crawford to engage in school gossip,” the multi-tasking champion may believe he has something to prove.

Lewkowicz concluded by saying that it is likely that there will be a Crawford vs. Fundora fight.

“The fight will already take place. Trying to ridicule the unified world champion by spreading stupid rumors is bad business for Crawford. You are 37 years senior. Instead, devote your time to training. You’ll need it.

In a welterweight crossroads on Friday, Quinton Randall prevailed over Janelson Bocachica with a unanimous decision victory at the Red Owl Boxing Arena in Houston, Texas.

The scores were 99-91, 97-93, 96-94, all for hometown fighter Randall (15-2-1, 3 knockouts), who continues his winning streak to two after losing consecutive decisions to undefeated fighter Brian Norman Jr. . and Gor Yeritsyan over the past year.

Randall, 33, showed excellent speed and punch selection against 25-year-old Bocachica, repeatedly beating him to victory.

– I’m not feeling well, man. Not my best. He is a dog. He is a warrior. I knew he would come to fight. I knew he would come to fight [and] “I appreciate him for even accepting the fight, knowing he’s away from home and knowing this is my home,” Randall said after the victory.

“But honestly, no matter where we were, we would have gotten the same result.”

For Bocachica (17-3-1, 11 KO), the defeat extended his winless streak to five, following decision losses to Alberto Palmetta and Roiman Villa, a draw against Shinard Bunch and not competing against Norman in his previous fight in March. Bocachica hasn’t won a fight since February 2021, when he defeated Mark Reyes Jr. split decision.

Randall says he plans to return to the ring on December 7 at the same venue.

“This is just the beginning, man,” Randall said. – You haven’t even seen my ceiling yet. You haven’t even seen me at my best. I need more fights like this on a regular basis so that you all can see the absolute best version of me and if we can achieve that, I believe I will be a world champion by the end of next year.”

The ten-round fight was the highlight of the latest installment of Red Owl Boxing’s “Boxfest” series and was broadcast live on DAZN.

In the co-main event, Tipton Walker Jr. (10-0-1, 6 KO) defeated Marquis Moore (11-2, 7 KO) by unanimous decision, with the scores being 77-75 on two cards and 78-75 on the third.

It’s the fourth straight victory for 28-year-old Walker, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, whose only blemish was a draw in 2019 with professional spoiler Clay Collard.

Also in action, Houston native Giovanni Marquez (11-0, 6 KO) remained undefeated, defeating Thomas Guillemette (8-3, 4 KO) in the second round to remain undefeated. Marquez, 23, dropped Frenchman Guillemette with a right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight after Guillemette got to his feet on unsteady legs.

Coach Calvin Ford looked stressed today as he answered questions about why his fighter, Gervonta “Tank” Davis, chose Lamont Roach as his next opponent on December 14 instead of one of the talented lightweights fans want to see fight Baltimore.

Ford’s response to the question of why Tank is fighting Roach is pretty slender, saying, “It’s good for the community.” The boxing public doesn’t think this is a good thing and they are the ones buying Tank’s $75.95 PPV fights. This is not good for them.

Roach (25-1-1, 10 KO), a super featherweight who will move up to face Gervonta (30-0, 28 KO) for the WBA lightweight title in Houston, has never defeated an A fighter in his 10-year career. -summer career.

Roach, 29, lost Jamel Śledź in 2019 and most recently had wins over Feargal McCrory, Hector Luis Garcia and Angel Rodriguez. These are not the best of the best. Losing to Herring will tell you everything you need to know about Roach’s qualifications to fight Tank.

Why Tank Fighting Roach

1. They have known each other since they were amateurs
2. Roach agreed to the fight
3. It’s a “Great Fight”
4. Good for “community”
5. This is the “before” Tank fight

“They have known each other since their amateur days, since the Silver Gloves and so on. They grew up together,” coach Calvin Ford said Fightsaying that Gervonta Davis knew Lamont Roach Jr. well. from the past.

Fans don’t care that Tank Davis knew Roach when he returned to the block. They want Tank to face the best at 135 pounds like William Zepeda, Raymond Muratalla, Andy Cruz, Abdullah Mason and Keyshawn Davis.

“Roach and him were constantly fighting and stuff. It’s going to be quite an compelling fight because Roach is coming to fight. I think it’s a great fight. Everyone says things like, “Oh, why Roach?” Because he put up a fight and it’s good for the community,” Ford said.

It doesn’t say what community it’s good for. Is it the Baltimore and Washington community? There are more fans across the country than in this petite part of the US. Tank should think about them for a change and stop avoiding the risks associated with talented players at 135 years ancient.

This is the third time that Tank Davis has chosen a super featherweight to defend his WBA lightweight belt. He has already fought 130-pounders Hector Luis Garcia and Leo Santa Cruz.

“People will do it. That’s what fans do. They criticize badly,” Ford said, criticizing fighters when they fight tender opponents, especially when they do it repeatedly during their career, as Tank Davis did.

“I remember everyone saying I should let Pitbull fight Tank again. They talked about that and then about when he won the belt [WBA light welterweight]boom. I’m not getting involved in this. I’m just getting him ready and ready for a great performance for the fans and stuff like that.

“Like I said, we’re just focused on the fight that’s in front of us and that’s the fight that’s in front of us,” Ford said of Roach, who will be Gervonta’s next title defense on Dec. 14.

This response from Ford isn’t good enough, saying, “We’re just focusing on the fight that’s in front of us.” This is not the answer. I think we need it Grand Inquisitor here to put Ford on his feet and get some real answers as to why Tank Davis is fighting Roach. This goes much deeper than what he says. There is some fear behind Tank’s choices because it is simple money that allows him to avoid risk.