Sebastian Fundora’s plan: work hard, win fights and maintain faith that his big chance will come.
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.”
Sebastian Fundora’s plan: work hard, win fights and maintain faith that his big chance will come.
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.”
Brian Mendoza is confident that he’ll buck the odds again against Sebastian Fundora on Saturday in Carson, Caliifornia.
Brian Mendoza demonstrated that perseverance and a little luck can lead to big things.
The 154-pounder from Albuquerque lost two of three fights between 2019 and 2021, the second a one-sided decision against rising star Jesus Ramos. He seemed to have hit his ceiling as a relevant boxer.
Then he received a phone call.
Yoelvis Gomez had pulled out of his Nov. 5 160-pound fight with former unified champion Jeison Rosario. Would Mendoza be willing to step in for Gomez on short notice at an unnatural weight?
Absolutely.
“As soon as I heard about the possibility, I said, ‘Pleeeeeease get me that fight and watch what I do,” Mendoza told Boxing Junkie.
What Mendoza did was knock out the once-feared Dominican in five rounds, a victory that made him a player again and earned him a fight with top contender Sebastian Fundora on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California (Showtime).
He’s pleased with the turnaround but not surprised.
“I’m a full-time fighter,” he said. “Ever since I got into boxing, all I do is eat, sleep and breathe boxing. It’s been my obsession. I took the [Ramos] loss and just said, ‘Where do I go from here? How do I regroup?’
“I had a lot of faith. I believed that with my work ethic, the experience I gained, the team behind me, my dreams were still achievable.”
Of course, another potential hazard lies ahead.
Rosario was in decline at the time he met Mendoza, having suffered back-to-back knockouts against Jermell Charlo and Erickson before winning three meaningless fights in the Dominican Republic. He retired after losing to Mendoza.
By contrast, Fundora (20-0-1, 13 KOs) is one of the hottest fighters in the world. The 6-foot-6 brawler stopped Lubin in his breakout victory in April of last year.
Mendoza doesn’t seem to fazed, even by Fundora’s height and the fact he’s left-handed. He’s 5-foot-10 and fights from an orthodox stance.
“I used to help out a UFC fighter, Tim Means, get ready for his fights,” he said. “… He’s like 6-2, a 6-2 southpaw that fights inside. Just tons of pressure and everything. So I feel I’ve had the look since I was an amateur.
“And over the years there’s been tons of tall guys. Even before I got the call for this fight I was in there with cruiserweights. I’m sparring big dudes. So I don’t care about the height.
“I know how to get in, I know how to move around, I know how to neutralize their best assets. It’s just another style. Every style if different that you have to neutralize and bring out your best weapons.
“It’s just another fight I have to go in there and get the job done.”
If he can, an opportunity to fight for a genuine world title – Fundora holds an “interim” belt – could be around the corner, which would’ve been difficult to imagine two years ago.
Indeed, he will have come a long way in a short time.
“This my Rocky movie,” he said. “It’s incredible. Every step of the way I wasn’t supposed to be here. I started boxing at like 15, 16 years old. I had less than 30 amateur fights. I turned pro, got my experience as a pro mostly.
“The whole way I wasn’t supposed to get this far, I wasn’t supposed to get this far. And I just keep proving people wrong and taking it farther.”
Brian Mendoza is confident that he’ll buck the odds again against Sebastian Fundora on Saturday in Carson, Caliifornia.
Brian Mendoza demonstrated that perseverance and a little luck can lead to big things.
The 154-pounder from Albuquerque lost two of three fights between 2019 and 2021, the second a one-sided decision against rising star Jesus Ramos. He seemed to have hit his ceiling as a relevant boxer.
Then he received a phone call.
Yoelvis Gomez had pulled out of his Nov. 5 160-pound fight with former unified champion Jeison Rosario. Would Mendoza be willing to step in for Gomez on short notice at an unnatural weight?
Absolutely.
“As soon as I heard about the possibility, I said, ‘Pleeeeeease get me that fight and watch what I do,” Mendoza told Boxing Junkie.
What Mendoza did was knock out the once-feared Dominican in five rounds, a victory that made him a player again and earned him a fight with top contender Sebastian Fundora on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California (Showtime).
He’s pleased with the turnaround but not surprised.
“I’m a full-time fighter,” he said. “Ever since I got into boxing, all I do is eat, sleep and breathe boxing. It’s been my obsession. I took the [Ramos] loss and just said, ‘Where do I go from here? How do I regroup?’
“I had a lot of faith. I believed that with my work ethic, the experience I gained, the team behind me, my dreams were still achievable.”
Of course, another potential hazard lies ahead.
Rosario was in decline at the time he met Mendoza, having suffered back-to-back knockouts against Jermell Charlo and Erickson before winning three meaningless fights in the Dominican Republic. He retired after losing to Mendoza.
By contrast, Fundora (20-0-1, 13 KOs) is one of the hottest fighters in the world. The 6-foot-6 brawler stopped Lubin in his breakout victory in April of last year.
Mendoza doesn’t seem to fazed, even by Fundora’s height and the fact he’s left-handed. He’s 5-foot-10 and fights from an orthodox stance.
“I used to help out a UFC fighter, Tim Means, get ready for his fights,” he said. “… He’s like 6-2, a 6-2 southpaw that fights inside. Just tons of pressure and everything. So I feel I’ve had the look since I was an amateur.
“And over the years there’s been tons of tall guys. Even before I got the call for this fight I was in there with cruiserweights. I’m sparring big dudes. So I don’t care about the height.
“I know how to get in, I know how to move around, I know how to neutralize their best assets. It’s just another style. Every style if different that you have to neutralize and bring out your best weapons.
“It’s just another fight I have to go in there and get the job done.”
If he can, an opportunity to fight for a genuine world title – Fundora holds an “interim” belt – could be around the corner, which would’ve been difficult to imagine two years ago.
Indeed, he will have come a long way in a short time.
“This my Rocky movie,” he said. “It’s incredible. Every step of the way I wasn’t supposed to be here. I started boxing at like 15, 16 years old. I had less than 30 amateur fights. I turned pro, got my experience as a pro mostly.
“The whole way I wasn’t supposed to get this far, I wasn’t supposed to get this far. And I just keep proving people wrong and taking it farther.”
Fight Week: Shakur Stevenson, ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Sebastian Fundora will play starring roles on a busy Saturday night across the U.S.
FIGHT WEEK
Shakur Stevenson, “Bam” Rodriguez and Sebastian Fundora will be playing starring roles on a packed Saturday night across the U.S.
SHAKUR STEVENSON (19-0, 9 KOS)
VS. SHUICHIRO YOSHINO (16-0, 12 KOS)
When: Saturday, April 8
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
Division: Lightweight (135 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: Stevenson No. 13
Odds: Stevenson 11½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Jared Anderson vs. George Arias, heavyweights; Keyshawn Davis vs. Anthony Yigit, lightweights
Prediction: Stevenson UD
Background: Stevenson is one of a handful of fighters with the potential to succeed Terence Crawford as the pound-for-pound king. The 25-year-old from Newark will be fighting for the first time as a full-fledged 135-pounder after losing his 130-pound title on the scale before his defense against Robson Conceicao in September, which Stevenson won by a wide decision. That followed sensational back-to-back victories over then-beltholder Jamel Herring (KO 10) and Oscar Valdez (UD), which stamped the gifted Stevenson as one of the fastest rising stars in the sport. Yoshino is a significant underdog (see above) but he’s no pushover. The 31-year-old boxer-puncher from Tokyo, fighting outside his native country for the first time, demonstrated his mettle in convincing victories over capable countrymen Masayuki Ito (TD) last April and Masayoshi Nakatani (KO 6) in November. Stevenson’s promoter, Bob Arum, said he wants to pit Stevenson against the winner of the May 20 fight between undisputed champion Devin Haney and former titleholder Vasiliy Lomachenko if Stevenson wins on Saturday.
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio
TV/Stream: DAZN
Division: Flyweight (112 pounds)
At stake: Vacant WBO title
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Rodriguez 18-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Marlon Tapales, junior featherweights (for Akhmadaliev’s IBF and WBA titles); Raymond Ford vs. Jessie Magdaleno, featherweights; Thomas Mattice vs. Ramiro Cesena, junior lightweights; Israel Madrimov vs. Raphael Igbokwe, middleweights
Prediction: Rodriguez KO 9
Background: The talented Rodriguez had a huge 2022, taking down Carlos Cuadras (UD), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (TKO 8) and Israel Gonzalez (UD) to establish himself as a budding star. He isn’t slowing down in 2023. He has moved down from 115 pounds (at which he held a secondary belt) to 112 to fight Cristian Gonzalez for the vacant WBO title on Saturday in his hometown. Rodriguez fought at 112 as recently as October 2021. He stopped his last six opponents in that division, which appears to be an indication of his physical strength at the lower weight. Gonzalez is taking a major step up in opposition. The 32-year-old Mexican has a good skill set but limited power, as his low knockout percentage indicates. He’ll be fighting for the first time since March of last year, when he stopped journeyman Juan Alejo Zuniga in the first round. He has never fought outside his native country. Also on the card, Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-0, 8 KOs) of Uzbekistan will defend his IBF and WBA 122-pound titles against former 118-pound beltholder Marlon Tapales (36-3, 19 KOs) of the Philippines. Akhmadaliev, a former amateur star, outpointed Daniel Roman to win his titles in 2020 and has successfully defended three times.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA (20-0-1, 13 KOS)
VS. BRIAN MENDOZA (21-2, 15 KOS)
When: Saturday, April 8
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Fundora 10½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Brandun Lee vs. Pedro Campa, junior welterweights; Luis Nunez vs. Christian Olivo, featherweight
Prediction: Fundora KO 10
Background: Fundora has emerged as a popular contender as a result of his unusual height (6-foot-6) and bruising style. The 25-year-old from the Southern California desert quashed the notion that he is nothing more than a physical freak when he got up from a knockdown to stop Erickson Lubin in April of last year. He followed that with a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Ocampo in October, a fight in which he boxed more than usual. A victory over Mendoza will keep Fundora near the front of the line to face undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo, although Charlo is expected to defend against Tim Tszyu next. Mendoza is a 29-year-old boxer-puncher from Albuquerque. He lost two of three fights between 2019 and 2021, a split decision against Larry Gomez and a one-sided decision against rising star Jesus Ramos. However, he rebounded by stopping journeyman Benjamin Whitaker (TKO 5) and former unified champion Jeison Rosario (KO 5). The latter victory, a major breakthrough, earned him a shot at Fundora.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
WEDNESDAY
Carlos Sanchez vs. Alexander Duran, 10 rounds, junior welterweights, Mexico City (ProBox TV).
THURSDAY
Angel Acosta vs. Angelino Cordova, flyweights, Indio, California (DAZN).
FRIDAY
Shinard Bunch vs. Bryan Flores, junior welterweights, Brooks, California (Showtime)
SATURDAY
Kenshiro Teraji vs. Anthony Olascuaga, junior flyweights (for Teraji’s WBA and WBC titles), Tokyo (ESPN+).
Fight Week: Shakur Stevenson, ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Sebastian Fundora will play starring roles on a busy Saturday night across the U.S.
FIGHT WEEK
Shakur Stevenson, “Bam” Rodriguez and Sebastian Fundora will be playing starring roles on a packed Saturday night across the U.S.
SHAKUR STEVENSON (19-0, 9 KOS)
VS. SHUICHIRO YOSHINO (16-0, 12 KOS)
When: Saturday, April 8
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
Division: Lightweight (135 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: Stevenson No. 13
Odds: Stevenson 11½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Jared Anderson vs. George Arias, heavyweights; Keyshawn Davis vs. Anthony Yigit, lightweights
Prediction: Stevenson UD
Background: Stevenson is one of a handful of fighters with the potential to succeed Terence Crawford as the pound-for-pound king. The 25-year-old from Newark will be fighting for the first time as a full-fledged 135-pounder after losing his 130-pound title on the scale before his defense against Robson Conceicao in September, which Stevenson won by a wide decision. That followed sensational back-to-back victories over then-beltholder Jamel Herring (KO 10) and Oscar Valdez (UD), which stamped the gifted Stevenson as one of the fastest rising stars in the sport. Yoshino is a significant underdog (see above) but he’s no pushover. The 31-year-old boxer-puncher from Tokyo, fighting outside his native country for the first time, demonstrated his mettle in convincing victories over capable countrymen Masayuki Ito (TD) last April and Masayoshi Nakatani (KO 6) in November. Stevenson’s promoter, Bob Arum, said he wants to pit Stevenson against the winner of the May 20 fight between undisputed champion Devin Haney and former titleholder Vasiliy Lomachenko if Stevenson wins on Saturday.
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio
TV/Stream: DAZN
Division: Flyweight (112 pounds)
At stake: Vacant WBO title
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Rodriguez 18-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Marlon Tapales, junior featherweights (for Akhmadaliev’s IBF and WBA titles); Raymond Ford vs. Jessie Magdaleno, featherweights; Thomas Mattice vs. Ramiro Cesena, junior lightweights; Israel Madrimov vs. Raphael Igbokwe, middleweights
Prediction: Rodriguez KO 9
Background: The talented Rodriguez had a huge 2022, taking down Carlos Cuadras (UD), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (TKO 8) and Israel Gonzalez (UD) to establish himself as a budding star. He isn’t slowing down in 2023. He has moved down from 115 pounds (at which he held a secondary belt) to 112 to fight Cristian Gonzalez for the vacant WBO title on Saturday in his hometown. Rodriguez fought at 112 as recently as October 2021. He stopped his last six opponents in that division, which appears to be an indication of his physical strength at the lower weight. Gonzalez is taking a major step up in opposition. The 32-year-old Mexican has a good skill set but limited power, as his low knockout percentage indicates. He’ll be fighting for the first time since March of last year, when he stopped journeyman Juan Alejo Zuniga in the first round. He has never fought outside his native country. Also on the card, Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-0, 8 KOs) of Uzbekistan will defend his IBF and WBA 122-pound titles against former 118-pound beltholder Marlon Tapales (36-3, 19 KOs) of the Philippines. Akhmadaliev, a former amateur star, outpointed Daniel Roman to win his titles in 2020 and has successfully defended three times.
SEBASTIAN FUNDORA (20-0-1, 13 KOS)
VS. BRIAN MENDOZA (21-2, 15 KOS)
When: Saturday, April 8
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Junior middleweight (154 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Fundora 10½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Brandun Lee vs. Pedro Campa, junior welterweights; Luis Nunez vs. Christian Olivo, featherweight
Prediction: Fundora KO 10
Background: Fundora has emerged as a popular contender as a result of his unusual height (6-foot-6) and bruising style. The 25-year-old from the Southern California desert quashed the notion that he is nothing more than a physical freak when he got up from a knockdown to stop Erickson Lubin in April of last year. He followed that with a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Ocampo in October, a fight in which he boxed more than usual. A victory over Mendoza will keep Fundora near the front of the line to face undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo, although Charlo is expected to defend against Tim Tszyu next. Mendoza is a 29-year-old boxer-puncher from Albuquerque. He lost two of three fights between 2019 and 2021, a split decision against Larry Gomez and a one-sided decision against rising star Jesus Ramos. However, he rebounded by stopping journeyman Benjamin Whitaker (TKO 5) and former unified champion Jeison Rosario (KO 5). The latter victory, a major breakthrough, earned him a shot at Fundora.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
WEDNESDAY
Carlos Sanchez vs. Alexander Duran, 10 rounds, junior welterweights, Mexico City (ProBox TV).
THURSDAY
Angel Acosta vs. Angelino Cordova, flyweights, Indio, California (DAZN).
FRIDAY
Shinard Bunch vs. Bryan Flores, junior welterweights, Brooks, California (Showtime)
SATURDAY
Kenshiro Teraji vs. Anthony Olascuaga, junior flyweights (for Teraji’s WBA and WBC titles), Tokyo (ESPN+).
Sebastian Fundora is eager to clear one more hurdle on route to getting his first title shot.
Sebastian Fundora continues to play the waiting game.
The No. 1-ranked 154-pound contender is scheduled to face Brian Mendoza on April 8 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California (Showtime).
If he wins, the 6-foot-6 “Towering Inferno” will remain in position to fight for a world title for the first time. He hopes to face the winner of a projected summer fight between undisputed champion Jermell Charlo and Tim Tszyu, although he knows nothing is guaranteed in boxing.
“I feel like I’ve been proving myself over and over again,” Fundora said. “We’re waiting for our shot to fight for the title. They keep putting guys in front of me who they say will knock me out or expose me, but I keep proving them wrong.”
Mendoza (21-2, 15 KOs) seemed to hit his ceiling when he lost a one-sided decision to Jesus Ramos in September 2021.
However, last November, he delivered a stunning upset when he stopped former unified titleholder Jeison Rosario in five rounds. That earned him a shot at Fundora and the opportunity to become a genuine contender.
Fundora (20-0-1, 13 KOs) insists he isn’t overlooking the native of Albuquerque.
“Everyone I fought has been strong guys and Mendoza is another,” Fundora said. “We’re just going to go for the win like always. … This fight is as important as every other fight before. Mendoza is a contender as well and we’re not looking at him lightly.
“We have to get past Mendoza if we want to even think of fighting for the championship.”
If things go well, he’ll go back to waiting. He’s only 25; he has time.
“I’m just building up,” he said. “My dad and I had plans that we talked about and we talked about contending and fighting for a title around this age. Things are working out. We’re where we want to be and just looking to get that title fight soon.
“We’re going to have to see what he brings on April 8. I have to prove myself again. We both have chips on our shoulders. We want to become champions and we have to win on April 8 to do so.
“I feel like some people are trying to skip me in order [to fight] for the title, but I’m remaining patient and staying focused on this fight. I just have to keep moving forward while everything else gets dealt with.”
Sebastian Fundora is eager to clear one more hurdle on route to getting his first title shot.
Sebastian Fundora continues to play the waiting game.
The No. 1-ranked 154-pound contender is scheduled to face Brian Mendoza on April 8 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California (Showtime).
If he wins, the 6-foot-6 “Towering Inferno” will remain in position to fight for a world title for the first time. He hopes to face the winner of a projected summer fight between undisputed champion Jermell Charlo and Tim Tszyu, although he knows nothing is guaranteed in boxing.
“I feel like I’ve been proving myself over and over again,” Fundora said. “We’re waiting for our shot to fight for the title. They keep putting guys in front of me who they say will knock me out or expose me, but I keep proving them wrong.”
Mendoza (21-2, 15 KOs) seemed to hit his ceiling when he lost a one-sided decision to Jesus Ramos in September 2021.
However, last November, he delivered a stunning upset when he stopped former unified titleholder Jeison Rosario in five rounds. That earned him a shot at Fundora and the opportunity to become a genuine contender.
Fundora (20-0-1, 13 KOs) insists he isn’t overlooking the native of Albuquerque.
“Everyone I fought has been strong guys and Mendoza is another,” Fundora said. “We’re just going to go for the win like always. … This fight is as important as every other fight before. Mendoza is a contender as well and we’re not looking at him lightly.
“We have to get past Mendoza if we want to even think of fighting for the championship.”
If things go well, he’ll go back to waiting. He’s only 25; he has time.
“I’m just building up,” he said. “My dad and I had plans that we talked about and we talked about contending and fighting for a title around this age. Things are working out. We’re where we want to be and just looking to get that title fight soon.
“We’re going to have to see what he brings on April 8. I have to prove myself again. We both have chips on our shoulders. We want to become champions and we have to win on April 8 to do so.
“I feel like some people are trying to skip me in order [to fight] for the title, but I’m remaining patient and staying focused on this fight. I just have to keep moving forward while everything else gets dealt with.”
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD The fans were spoiled on Saturday night. They received not one, but two unusually fine performances in venues separated by around 7,000 miles, first by 175-pound titleholder Dmitry Bivol in the United …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
The fans were spoiled on Saturday night.
They received not one, but two unusually fine performances in venues separated by around 7,000 miles, first by 175-pound titleholder Dmitry Bivol in the United Arab Emirates and then by 168-pound contender David Morrell in Minneapolis
Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) reminded us of how he was able to upset Canelo Alvarez in May, outclassing a good, previously unbeaten opponent in Gilberto Ramirez to win a wide decision and set up another big fight.
Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) was competitive for the first four rounds. Then, after Bivol settled into the fight, he toyed with the former 168-pound champion the rest of the way to win a wide unanimous decision and underscore the perception that he’s one of the best pure boxers on the planet.
Bivol’s defensive performance was particularly striking: Ramirez landed only 12.2% of his punches, according to CompuBox. No one is harder to hit.
What’s next?
He wants to fight countryman Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light heavyweight championship. If that doesn’t happen – and it probably won’t because of a prior commitment – he’d happily settle for a rematch with Alvarez.
Neither of those fights is easy but I’d pick Bivol to win both. He’s the best among those three … maybe the best, period.
Morrell (8-0, 7 KOs) demonstrated in his 12th-round knockout of Aidos Yerbossynuly (16-1, 11 KOs) why he’s going to be a handful for the top super middleweights and eventually light heavyweights.
Find a weakness. The Cuban defector is naturally gifted, has polished skills, has punching power and appears to have a good chin. On Saturday, he outclassed a good, rugged opponent, beat him up and then brutally knocked him out.
The fans in his adopted hometown loved every minute of it. The rest of us just nodded in appreciation.
Morrell appears to be special.
BAD
Bivol suggested after his victory on Saturday that he’s open to moving down to 168 pounds to challenge for Alvarez’s undisputed championship after outpointing Alvarez at 175 in their first fight.
Let’s hope he doesn’t do it.
It’s one thing to move up a division, as Alvarez did in May. It’s another to shed weight, which can leave a fighter depleted and create a significant advantage for his opponent. And that’s the last thing you want if you’re facing a future Hall of Famer.
Bivol has fought as a light heavyweight his entire eight-year professional career. As he said, “I’m a light heavyweight. This is my weight.”
He needs to remember that. And so does Alvarez.
If the Mexican star wants to turn the tables on Bivol, he needs to do it against a Bivol who is at full strength. That would be at 175 pounds, not 168 or a catch weight. Otherwise a victory in the rematch wouldn’t mean nearly as much.
And Alvarez has had success at 175. He stopped a still-competent Sergey Kovalev to win a light heavyweight title in 2019. A size disadvantage wasn’t an insurmountable obstacle on that night. And there’s no reason it should be in a second fight with Bivol.
Indeed, the first meeting was more about ability than size. That would also be the case in a rematch.
It has to take place at 175 pounds.
WORSE
Bivol, Morrell and the fans will have to wait for the fights they want.
Bivol is choosing legacy over money when he says that he’d prefer to fight Beterbiev over a rematch with Alvarez in his next fight. You have to think Beterbiev also wants that fight. And, of course, the fans would love to see a matchup between the boxing wizard and the knockout artist.
Instead, it appears that Beterbiev will defend his three belts against mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde early next year.
That’s unfortunate for the fans. Beterbiev-Yarde is mismatch. Yarde has power but he doesn’t have the skill set to compete with a fighter with the ability and experience of Beterbiev, who almost certainly would dominate and ultimately stop Yarde. Knockouts are always fun to watch but I’d rather see a competitive fight.
Bivol will probably fight Beterbiev at some point. The question is when.
He could face Alvarez a second time in May, when the Mexican normally fights. Then, if things go well for Bivol and Beterbiev defeats Yarde, the Russians could meet in the fall.
That seems to be the best case scenario for Bivol.
Meanwhile, Morrell left little doubt on Saturday that he’s ready to challenge one of the top 168-pounders. He would like to face former two-time titleholder David Benavidez next.
However, Benavidez appears headed toward a long-awaited showdown with Caleb Plant. Benavidez-Plant is a much better matchup than Beterbiev-Yarde, particularly after Plant’s one-punch knockout of Anthony Dirrell last month.
It’s just not as good as Benavidez-Morrell, which now seems to be the ultimate 168-pound matchup not involving Alvarez. Why? Because Morrell is a bigger threat to Benavidez than Plant is.
Benavidez-Morrell also could happen next year if Benavidez defeats Plant and Morrell wins an interim fight, which will probably happen.
We just have to be patient.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Jeison Rosario (23-4-1, 17 KOs) turned out to be a one-hit wonder. The Dominican made a big splash when he stopped talented Julian Williams to win two 154-pound belts in 2020. It has been down hill for him since. He was stopped by Jermell Charlo and Erickson Lubin in his next two fights, beat three journeymen in his native country and then was stopped by Brian Mendoza (21-2, 15 KOs) in five rounds on the Morrell-Yerbossynuly card. Rosario is only 27 but appears to be finished as an elite fighter. … Kudos to Mendoza, who ended the fight with a beautiful right uppercut and follow up left in the fifth round of his first fight at 160 pounds. The victory was a break through for the Albuquerque product, who lost a decision o Jesus Ramos only two fights ago. … Say hello to Fiodor Czerkaszyn. The talented Ukrainian middleweight could be around for a while. Czerkaszyn (21-0, 13 KOs) gave a strong performance on the Morrell-Yerbossynuly card, easily outpointing veteran Nathaniel Gallimore (22-6-1, 17 KOs) in a 10-round bout. The former Muay Thai fighter seems to be a slick, clever boxer with heavy hands and a ton of confidence. It will be interesting to see how he fares at the next level. … Undisputed 147-pound champion Jessica McCaskill (12-3, 5 KOs) looked awful for most of her fight against 140-pound titleholder Chantelle Cameron (17-0, 8 KOs) on the Bivol-Ramirez card, losing a wide decision. Maybe the two-timer conqueror of Cecilia Braekhus had trouble moving down in weight. Maybe a collision of heads early in the fight affected her. Maybe Cameron is just significantly better than she is. Whatever the reason, McCaskill had a bad night. She might have a chance to redeem herself. Cameron said afterward that she’d like to move up to 147 to challenge for McCaskill’s titles in that division.
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD The fans were spoiled on Saturday night. They received not one, but two unusually fine performances in venues separated by around 7,000 miles, first by 175-pound titleholder Dmitry Bivol in the United …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
The fans were spoiled on Saturday night.
They received not one, but two unusually fine performances in venues separated by around 7,000 miles, first by 175-pound titleholder Dmitry Bivol in the United Arab Emirates and then by 168-pound contender David Morrell in Minneapolis
Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) reminded us of how he was able to upset Canelo Alvarez in May, outclassing a good, previously unbeaten opponent in Gilberto Ramirez to win a wide decision and set up another big fight.
Ramirez (44-1, 30 KOs) was competitive for the first four rounds. Then, after Bivol settled into the fight, he toyed with the former 168-pound champion the rest of the way to win a wide unanimous decision and underscore the perception that he’s one of the best pure boxers on the planet.
Bivol’s defensive performance was particularly striking: Ramirez landed only 12.2% of his punches, according to CompuBox. No one is harder to hit.
What’s next?
He wants to fight countryman Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light heavyweight championship. If that doesn’t happen – and it probably won’t because of a prior commitment – he’d happily settle for a rematch with Alvarez.
Neither of those fights is easy but I’d pick Bivol to win both. He’s the best among those three … maybe the best, period.
Morrell (8-0, 7 KOs) demonstrated in his 12th-round knockout of Aidos Yerbossynuly (16-1, 11 KOs) why he’s going to be a handful for the top super middleweights and eventually light heavyweights.
Find a weakness. The Cuban defector is naturally gifted, has polished skills, has punching power and appears to have a good chin. On Saturday, he outclassed a good, rugged opponent, beat him up and then brutally knocked him out.
The fans in his adopted hometown loved every minute of it. The rest of us just nodded in appreciation.
Morrell appears to be special.
BAD
Bivol suggested after his victory on Saturday that he’s open to moving down to 168 pounds to challenge for Alvarez’s undisputed championship after outpointing Alvarez at 175 in their first fight.
Let’s hope he doesn’t do it.
It’s one thing to move up a division, as Alvarez did in May. It’s another to shed weight, which can leave a fighter depleted and create a significant advantage for his opponent. And that’s the last thing you want if you’re facing a future Hall of Famer.
Bivol has fought as a light heavyweight his entire eight-year professional career. As he said, “I’m a light heavyweight. This is my weight.”
He needs to remember that. And so does Alvarez.
If the Mexican star wants to turn the tables on Bivol, he needs to do it against a Bivol who is at full strength. That would be at 175 pounds, not 168 or a catch weight. Otherwise a victory in the rematch wouldn’t mean nearly as much.
And Alvarez has had success at 175. He stopped a still-competent Sergey Kovalev to win a light heavyweight title in 2019. A size disadvantage wasn’t an insurmountable obstacle on that night. And there’s no reason it should be in a second fight with Bivol.
Indeed, the first meeting was more about ability than size. That would also be the case in a rematch.
It has to take place at 175 pounds.
WORSE
Bivol, Morrell and the fans will have to wait for the fights they want.
Bivol is choosing legacy over money when he says that he’d prefer to fight Beterbiev over a rematch with Alvarez in his next fight. You have to think Beterbiev also wants that fight. And, of course, the fans would love to see a matchup between the boxing wizard and the knockout artist.
Instead, it appears that Beterbiev will defend his three belts against mandatory challenger Anthony Yarde early next year.
That’s unfortunate for the fans. Beterbiev-Yarde is mismatch. Yarde has power but he doesn’t have the skill set to compete with a fighter with the ability and experience of Beterbiev, who almost certainly would dominate and ultimately stop Yarde. Knockouts are always fun to watch but I’d rather see a competitive fight.
Bivol will probably fight Beterbiev at some point. The question is when.
He could face Alvarez a second time in May, when the Mexican normally fights. Then, if things go well for Bivol and Beterbiev defeats Yarde, the Russians could meet in the fall.
That seems to be the best case scenario for Bivol.
Meanwhile, Morrell left little doubt on Saturday that he’s ready to challenge one of the top 168-pounders. He would like to face former two-time titleholder David Benavidez next.
However, Benavidez appears headed toward a long-awaited showdown with Caleb Plant. Benavidez-Plant is a much better matchup than Beterbiev-Yarde, particularly after Plant’s one-punch knockout of Anthony Dirrell last month.
It’s just not as good as Benavidez-Morrell, which now seems to be the ultimate 168-pound matchup not involving Alvarez. Why? Because Morrell is a bigger threat to Benavidez than Plant is.
Benavidez-Morrell also could happen next year if Benavidez defeats Plant and Morrell wins an interim fight, which will probably happen.
We just have to be patient.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Jeison Rosario (23-4-1, 17 KOs) turned out to be a one-hit wonder. The Dominican made a big splash when he stopped talented Julian Williams to win two 154-pound belts in 2020. It has been down hill for him since. He was stopped by Jermell Charlo and Erickson Lubin in his next two fights, beat three journeymen in his native country and then was stopped by Brian Mendoza (21-2, 15 KOs) in five rounds on the Morrell-Yerbossynuly card. Rosario is only 27 but appears to be finished as an elite fighter. … Kudos to Mendoza, who ended the fight with a beautiful right uppercut and follow up left in the fifth round of his first fight at 160 pounds. The victory was a break through for the Albuquerque product, who lost a decision o Jesus Ramos only two fights ago. … Say hello to Fiodor Czerkaszyn. The talented Ukrainian middleweight could be around for a while. Czerkaszyn (21-0, 13 KOs) gave a strong performance on the Morrell-Yerbossynuly card, easily outpointing veteran Nathaniel Gallimore (22-6-1, 17 KOs) in a 10-round bout. The former Muay Thai fighter seems to be a slick, clever boxer with heavy hands and a ton of confidence. It will be interesting to see how he fares at the next level. … Undisputed 147-pound champion Jessica McCaskill (12-3, 5 KOs) looked awful for most of her fight against 140-pound titleholder Chantelle Cameron (17-0, 8 KOs) on the Bivol-Ramirez card, losing a wide decision. Maybe the two-timer conqueror of Cecilia Braekhus had trouble moving down in weight. Maybe a collision of heads early in the fight affected her. Maybe Cameron is just significantly better than she is. Whatever the reason, McCaskill had a bad night. She might have a chance to redeem herself. Cameron said afterward that she’d like to move up to 147 to challenge for McCaskill’s titles in that division.
