Gustavo Olivieri, president of the WBO announced the identity of the co-challenger of Xander Zayas for his organization's vacant junior middleweight championship. Olivieri tweeted: "Re: vacant WBO 154-pound title, Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia. The WBO confirms that Top Rank, Golden Boy, and Zanfer Promotions have reached an agreement for the subject matter bout. Official fight date and venue to be announced." Boxingtalk deems Garcia a worthy challenger. The Mexcian has a record of 33-4 and is riding high off a win over previously undefeated U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell. He is 15-1 in his last sixteen fights, with the one loss coming by split decision to then-undefeated Etoundi Michael William by split decision.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
May 2, 2025: According to the social media page of WBO president Gustavo Olivieiri, "The WBO Championship Committee has unanimously voted to strip Sebastian Fundora of his WBO junuor middleweight (154-pound) title, effective immediately. The Executive Committee has ratified the decision. Accordingly, the title is now vacant. Resolution to be published shortly." The decision seems to have been prompted by Fundora's failure to follow through on his obligation to fight mandatory contender Xander Zayas, a fight that was set to go to purse bid on May 2nd. Fundora remains the WBC champion.
April 28, 2025: WBO / WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora has so far failed to reach an agreement with his WBO mandatory contender, Xander Zayas. WBO president Gustavo Olivieri wrote, "Be advised that the WBO Championships Committee has ruled that purse bids for Fundora vs. Zayas will be conducted this Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas." Olivieri indicated that the winning purse bid will be split 75% for Fundora and 25% for Zayas.
April 11, 2025: WBO president Gustavo Olivieri wrote, "Fundora/Zayas negotiations - Be advised that Top Rank / PBC have jointly requested an extension of the negotiation period. [The WBO Championship] Committee grants extension until Friday, April 25th, no later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)."
March 25, 2025: The WBO has designated Puerto Rico's undefeated Xander Zayas as its mandatory challenger in the junior middleweight division, stating that "Champion Sebastian Fundora must fulfill his WBO mandatory title defense obligation in his next bout against Zayas. Failure to do so will result in [the WBO Championship] Committee proceeding in accordance with WBO rules and regulations. Fundora will not be permitted any intervening bout, the two teams shall commence negotiation immediately to fulfill the title defense pursuing to the WBO rules. They have 20 days to reach an agreement after which a per proceeding will be ordered. If no agreement is reached. The minimum bid under WBO rules is $200,000." Fundora also holds the WBC title, so he has leverage to decline to fight Zayas and still remain WBC champion.
