Sebastian Fundora’s instinct to brawl in spite of his 6-foot-6 frame has always been intriguing.
The 154-pound contender didn’t want to be too predictable, though. So he’s been working on using his physical advantages by boxing more than he typically does, which we saw in his unanimous decision victory over Carlos Ocampo in October.
Does that mean we’ll see the same thing against Brian Mendoza on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California (Showtime)?
Fundora’s not telling.
“I did want to box more,” he told Boxing Junkie, referring to the Ocampo fight. “I wanted to show fans I’m not a one-dimensional fighter, that I can do different things. We displayed that. If this fight calls for it, why not [do it again]?
“Honestly, I just want to get the job done.”
Fundora (20-0-1, 13 KOs) has always gotten the job done, aside from a draw with Jamontay Clark in 2019.
The resident of the Southern California desert delivered his break-through victory in April of last year, when he got up from a knockdown to stop Erickson Lubin in the ninth round and become a prime candidate to fight for a world title. He followed that with the victory over Ocampo.
Now comes Mendoza (21-2, 15 KOs), who hit the jackpot when he took a fight with former unified champion Jeison Rosario on short notice and knocked him out in November.
The oddsmakers have made Fundora a heavy favorite but he believes Mendoza might be better than many people realize.
“I would think so,” said Fundora, who holds the WBC’s “interim” belt. “He’s fighting for the … title. I can’t speak for anybody else but there’s a reason he’s fighting here. … He looked strong [against Rosario], he looked good. This should be a good fight.”
If Fundora wins, he’ll continue to wait for bigger and better opportunities. That could be matchups with other big-name 154-pounders or the holy grail, a shot at a world title.
Waiting hasn’t been easy. For example, Fundora was expected to fight former champ Tony Harrison in March. However, Harrison ended up facing (and losing to) Tim Tszyu after the Australian’s fight with undisputed champion Jermell Charlo was postponed.
Fundora felt he was “skipped over.”
“Harrison was supposed to fight us,” he said. “He was the mandatory for us, for the WBC [interim title]. They made a big deal about it. I was like, “Great. We have this fight with Harrison, we have an ex-champion.’ The fight didn’t turn out. And the next thing you know he’s fight Tim Tszyu.
“I guess that’s the business of boxing but you gotta be fair. That’s what I think.”
Fundora is a realist, though. He knows he can only take one path going forward: continue to work hard, continue to win, continue to impress and continue to have faith that the big opportunities will come his way.
He hopes to face the winner of the Charlo-Tszyu fight, which is projected for this summer.
“I just continue to train,” he said. “My parents, my coach (father Freddy Fundora) keep me in line if I ever start questioning things or whatever the case is. Just continue to work. My time will come soon.”
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