Errol Spence vs. Leonard Bundu Winner Set to Get Title Shot

Former US Olympian Errol Spence is one win away from a title fight.

After dismantling former welterweight champion Chris Algieri in five rounds last April 16th, 2012 Olympian Errol Spence will be fighting Leonard Bundu in an IBF title eliminator:

Replacement Foe

The fight with the 41-year old Bundu was ordered by the IBF after Spence’s original opponent, Konstantin Ponomarev, withdrew from the mandatory challenger bout after suffering a hand injury. The bout was ordered to determine the next opponent of current IBF Weterweight champion Kell Brook of England. With Ponomarev out, the IBF decided to give the slot to Bundu, the organization’s 7th ranked welterweight. Bundu has fought mostly in Italy and is on his second reign as the European Welterweight champion.

Bundu though has fought mostly in Italy and has fought just twice in the United States, losing his U.S. debut to Keith Thurman in 2014. He owns a record of 33-1 with 2 draws and 12 knockouts. The only recognizable names in Bundu’s resume are Thurman, Lee Purdy and Frankie Gavin. Otherwise, he’s fought unknowns, forcing critics to say that he is going to be easy picking for a guy as talented as Spence.

The Truth

Spence’s meteoric rise in the 147 ranks has been highly publicized. Known as the “Truth”, Errol Spence is unbeaten in 20 bouts and has recorded 17 KOs. Aside from Algieri, Spence has beaten the likes of Samuel Vargas, Phil LoGreco, Chris Van Heerden and Algieri. He is considered as the hottest prospect at 147 pounds and was named as ESPN’s 2015 Prospect of the Year.

The New King at 147?

Spence and Bundu have up to June 22nd to forge a deal or else a purse bid will be ordered by the IBF. Letters informing both camps of the deadline was sent on Tuesday. Should Spence beat Bundu, he will likely face Kell Brook later this year.

Brook is coming off an impressive second round stoppage of mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier last March. Brook, who owns an unbeaten 36-0 with 25 KOs record, won the IBF title by outpointing Shawn Porter in August 2014. He’s since defended the belt three times, scoring stoppage wins over JoJo Dan, Frankie Gavin and Bizier.

Boxing’s 147-pound weight class has been in search of a new king after the recent retirements of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. Spence is one of the guys highly touted to take that spot. The journey to prove it begins with beating Leonard Bundu next.