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 I’m one of those who wonders whether Sebastian Fundora should use his height and reach more than he does. The 6-foot-5 junior middleweight’s nature is to fight toe-to-toe, which has worked for him. He …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
I’m one of those who wonders whether Sebastian Fundora should use his height and reach more than he does.
The 6-foot-5 junior middleweight’s nature is to fight toe-to-toe, which has worked for him. He remained undefeated after outpointing Carlos Ocampo on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The fact is he’s an excellent inside fighter in spite of his lean frame and long arms. One could ask: If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Well, giving up his length advantage gives his opponents a chance to get close enough to him to land punches. Ocampo lost a one-sided decision but did his best work when Fundora engaged him inside.
By contrast, I thought Ocampo was helpless when Fundora fought at range behind his jab and threw power punches, as he did in the last two rounds. I can see him dominating opponents with that tactic if he perfects it. He could be a 154-pound, left-handed version of Wladimir Klitschko.
I think he needs to work on landing his jab more than he does; he connected on 16% of them against Ocampo, according to CompuBox. And he has to follow with straight lefts, right hooks and other power punches, which he didn’t do early.
Fundora’s father-trainer Freddy Fundora agrees at least to some extent: The younger Fundora said he and dad worked on fighting at range during training camp for the Ocampo fight. So they might be moving in that direction.
In the end, Fundora’s instinct is to brawl, to please the fans who are hungry for action. That probably won’t change. That said, his best course might be to switch back and forth – from brawling to boxing – depending on the circumstances.
BAD
Kudos to the British Boxing Board of Control for refusing to sanction the Conor Benn-Chris Eubank Jr. fight after Benn’s “A” sample tested positive for a banned substance, after which it was postponed.
Benn’s handlers complained that he wasn’t given due process by the BBBofC, an allegation that will be sorted out over time.
The bottom line was this: Benn failed a drug test conducted by a reputable agency, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. The BBBofC made the responsible decision by pulling its support.
What about Benn’s “B” sample, which typically confirms the initial finding? Organizers would’ve been remiss to allow the fight to proceed in the off chance the second sample is negative.
I hate the fact that promoter Eddie Hearn refused to embrace the BBBofC’s decision but I have to give credit to him and his partners for deciding not to find an outside body to sanction the fight, which they probably could’ve done.
I won’t speculate on their true motives but they collectively made the decision that was best for the sport.
And, finally, there’s Benn. Surprise, surprise: He swears he’s a clean fighter even though Clomifene – a female fertility drug that can boost testosterone – was found in his body. Almost every athlete in his position says the same thing; it means next to nothing. He could face suspension.
The Benn-Eubank debacle was bad for boxing for obvious reasons but it would’ve been a lot worse had the fight taken place.
WORSE
Boxing lost a legend in Eder Jofre.
The Hall of Famer from Brazil, who died last week at 86, was arguably the greatest 118-pounder of all time, No. 1 pound-for-pound for a time in the 1960s and certainly the best boxer his country has ever produced.
Jofre was a brilliant boxer with fight-stopping power and he was durable, which is how he was able to compile a record of 72-2-4 (50 KOs) in his long career.
He went undefeated from 1957 to 1965, starting his career with a record of 47-0-3. Between 1960 and 1965 he won a version of the bantamweight and then the undisputed world championship and was essentially untouchable.
That is until he ran into his nemesis and fellow Hall of Famer, Fighting Harada of Japan, who handed him his first loss (a split decision) in 1965 and then did it again (a unanimous decision) the following year.
That appeared to be the end of Jofre’s career, as he “retired” at 30 after the second setback against Harada.
Then, after three years away, he put together one of the greatest comebacks ever.
The then-33-year-old returned as a featherweight in 1969 and reeled off 25 victories in as many fights, winning the WBC 126-pound title by decision over Jose Legra at 37 years old in the process.
If there was any doubt about his greatness before his comeback, there definitely wasn’t afterward.
Jofre was one of the best to ever do it. RIP, champ.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Fundora, ranked No. 1 by the WBC, has earned the right to face the winner of the January fight between undisputed champion Jermell Charlo and Tim Tszyu. Could he beat Charlo, who I expect to prevail of Tszyu? I doubt it. Charlo is one of the best in the business. However, as I’ve said in the past, I wouldn’t put anything past Fundora. He has innate resolve that makes him difficult for anyone to defeat. I hope he gets his chance. … Middleweight contender Carlos Adames (22-1, 17 KOs) was the star of the show on the Fundora-Ocampo card Saturday. The Dominican, a complete fighter, overwhelmed a good, strong opponent in Juan Macias Montiel (23-6-2, 23 KOs) en route to a third-round knockout. Could he beat the top 160-pounder, Jermall Charlo? I wouldn’t be shocked if he did. He has the tools – speed, power, all-around ability – to become a pound-for-pounder. … Junior bantamweight titleholder Fernando Martinez (15-0, 8 KOs) proved his one-sided victory over Jerwin Ancajas (33-3-2, 22 KOs) in February was no fluke, as he did it again on the Fundora-Ocampo card. I wouldn’t pick Martinez to beat some of his 115-pound rivals, including Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez. But his relentless pressure would be hell for anyone. He’s the real deal.
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD I’m one of those who wonders whether Sebastian Fundora should use his height and reach more than he does. The 6-foot-5 junior middleweight’s nature is to fight toe-to-toe, which has worked for him. He …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
I’m one of those who wonders whether Sebastian Fundora should use his height and reach more than he does.
The 6-foot-5 junior middleweight’s nature is to fight toe-to-toe, which has worked for him. He remained undefeated after outpointing Carlos Ocampo on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The fact is he’s an excellent inside fighter in spite of his lean frame and long arms. One could ask: If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Well, giving up his length advantage gives his opponents a chance to get close enough to him to land punches. Ocampo lost a one-sided decision but did his best work when Fundora engaged him inside.
By contrast, I thought Ocampo was helpless when Fundora fought at range behind his jab and threw power punches, as he did in the last two rounds. I can see him dominating opponents with that tactic if he perfects it. He could be a 154-pound, left-handed version of Wladimir Klitschko.
I think he needs to work on landing his jab more than he does; he connected on 16% of them against Ocampo, according to CompuBox. And he has to follow with straight lefts, right hooks and other power punches, which he didn’t do early.
Fundora’s father-trainer Freddy Fundora agrees at least to some extent: The younger Fundora said he and dad worked on fighting at range during training camp for the Ocampo fight. So they might be moving in that direction.
In the end, Fundora’s instinct is to brawl, to please the fans who are hungry for action. That probably won’t change. That said, his best course might be to switch back and forth – from brawling to boxing – depending on the circumstances.
BAD
Kudos to the British Boxing Board of Control for refusing to sanction the Conor Benn-Chris Eubank Jr. fight after Benn’s “A” sample tested positive for a banned substance, after which it was postponed.
Benn’s handlers complained that he wasn’t given due process by the BBBofC, an allegation that will be sorted out over time.
The bottom line was this: Benn failed a drug test conducted by a reputable agency, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. The BBBofC made the responsible decision by pulling its support.
What about Benn’s “B” sample, which typically confirms the initial finding? Organizers would’ve been remiss to allow the fight to proceed in the off chance the second sample is negative.
I hate the fact that promoter Eddie Hearn refused to embrace the BBBofC’s decision but I have to give credit to him and his partners for deciding not to find an outside body to sanction the fight, which they probably could’ve done.
I won’t speculate on their true motives but they collectively made the decision that was best for the sport.
And, finally, there’s Benn. Surprise, surprise: He swears he’s a clean fighter even though Clomifene – a female fertility drug that can boost testosterone – was found in his body. Almost every athlete in his position says the same thing; it means next to nothing. He could face suspension.
The Benn-Eubank debacle was bad for boxing for obvious reasons but it would’ve been a lot worse had the fight taken place.
WORSE
Boxing lost a legend in Eder Jofre.
The Hall of Famer from Brazil, who died last week at 86, was arguably the greatest 118-pounder of all time, No. 1 pound-for-pound for a time in the 1960s and certainly the best boxer his country has ever produced.
Jofre was a brilliant boxer with fight-stopping power and he was durable, which is how he was able to compile a record of 72-2-4 (50 KOs) in his long career.
He went undefeated from 1957 to 1965, starting his career with a record of 47-0-3. Between 1960 and 1965 he won a version of the bantamweight and then the undisputed world championship and was essentially untouchable.
That is until he ran into his nemesis and fellow Hall of Famer, Fighting Harada of Japan, who handed him his first loss (a split decision) in 1965 and then did it again (a unanimous decision) the following year.
That appeared to be the end of Jofre’s career, as he “retired” at 30 after the second setback against Harada.
Then, after three years away, he put together one of the greatest comebacks ever.
The then-33-year-old returned as a featherweight in 1969 and reeled off 25 victories in as many fights, winning the WBC 126-pound title by decision over Jose Legra at 37 years old in the process.
If there was any doubt about his greatness before his comeback, there definitely wasn’t afterward.
Jofre was one of the best to ever do it. RIP, champ.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Fundora, ranked No. 1 by the WBC, has earned the right to face the winner of the January fight between undisputed champion Jermell Charlo and Tim Tszyu. Could he beat Charlo, who I expect to prevail of Tszyu? I doubt it. Charlo is one of the best in the business. However, as I’ve said in the past, I wouldn’t put anything past Fundora. He has innate resolve that makes him difficult for anyone to defeat. I hope he gets his chance. … Middleweight contender Carlos Adames (22-1, 17 KOs) was the star of the show on the Fundora-Ocampo card Saturday. The Dominican, a complete fighter, overwhelmed a good, strong opponent in Juan Macias Montiel (23-6-2, 23 KOs) en route to a third-round knockout. Could he beat the top 160-pounder, Jermall Charlo? I wouldn’t be shocked if he did. He has the tools – speed, power, all-around ability – to become a pound-for-pounder. … Junior bantamweight titleholder Fernando Martinez (15-0, 8 KOs) proved his one-sided victory over Jerwin Ancajas (33-3-2, 22 KOs) in February was no fluke, as he did it again on the Fundora-Ocampo card. I wouldn’t pick Martinez to beat some of his 115-pound rivals, including Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez. But his relentless pressure would be hell for anyone. He’s the real deal.
Photos: Sebastian Fundora’s one-sided victory over Carlos Ocampo on Saturday in Carson, California.
Junior middleweight contender Sebastian Fundora defeated Carlos Ocampo by a one-sided decision Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Also on the card, middleweight contender Carlos Adames knocked out Juan Macias Montiel at 2:37 of Round 3 of a scheduled 12-rounder; Fernando Martinez defeated Jerwin Ancajas by a unanimous decision a second time to retain his junior bantamweight title; and Gabriela Fundora, Sebastian’s sister, defeated Naomi Arellano Reyes by a unanimous decision in a 10-round flyweight bout.
Here are images from those fights. All photos by Esther Lin of Showtime.
Sebastian Fundora banged out a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Ocampo on Saturday in Carson, California.
Sebastian Fundora didn’t dazzle anyone but he was effective.
The 6-foot-5 junior middleweight contender pounded out a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Ocampo on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The official scores were 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111. Boxing Junkie scored it 116-112, eight rounds to four.
Fundora (20-0-1, 13 KOs) started off using his unusual height (6-foot-5) and reach, throwing more long jabs than usual to keep the much shorter Ocampo (34-2, 22 KOs) at range.
However, Fundora, a brawler by nature, settled into an inside fight in Round 4 and didn’t retreat until the last few rounds.
And, while Ocampo threw a high volume of punches and never gave up, Fundora got the better of the toe-to-toe exchanges by landing the cleaner shots — to both the head and body — round after round.
“I thought I would show a little boxing and put that on display,” Fundora said, “but you know I still had to bang for the fans. That’s what they came here for, so I had to give it to them.
“… You know I like to break my opponent down. He was very tough and his face swelled up but he banged. He’s a tough Mexican. My hat’s off to him.”
He went on: “In the middle I wanted to see if I could hurt him,” he said. “I know Spence caught him with a body shot, and I saw in the middle of the fight he was open for the left uppercut to the stomach, so I saw that would slow him down.”
The 24-year-old fighter from Southern California has now won seven consecutive fights since he drew with Jamontay Clark in 2019.
The victory over Ocampo, best known for his knockout loss to 147-pound champ Errol Spence Jr. in 2018, certainly wasn’t as sensational as his knockout of Erickson Lubin in April. However, it was convincing, keeping Fundora on track to get his first title shot.
He’s ranked directly below undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo in the WBC rankings, making him a prime candidate to face the winner of the Charlo-Tim Tszyu fight scheduled for January.
“Of course, I want to face the winner of Charlo and Tszyu,” Fundora said. “I’m the WBC mandatory. I’ve earned my spot, and we’ll see what happens. But I hope I’m next. Fingers crossed.”
Sebastian Fundora banged out a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Ocampo on Saturday in Carson, California.
Sebastian Fundora didn’t dazzle anyone but he was effective.
The 6-foot-5 junior middleweight contender pounded out a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Ocampo on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The official scores were 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111. Boxing Junkie scored it 116-112, eight rounds to four.
Fundora (20-0-1, 13 KOs) started off using his unusual height (6-foot-5) and reach, throwing more long jabs than usual to keep the much shorter Ocampo (34-2, 22 KOs) at range.
However, Fundora, a brawler by nature, settled into an inside fight in Round 4 and didn’t retreat until the last few rounds.
And, while Ocampo threw a high volume of punches and never gave up, Fundora got the better of the toe-to-toe exchanges by landing the cleaner shots — to both the head and body — round after round.
“I thought I would show a little boxing and put that on display,” Fundora said, “but you know I still had to bang for the fans. That’s what they came here for, so I had to give it to them.
“… You know I like to break my opponent down. He was very tough and his face swelled up but he banged. He’s a tough Mexican. My hat’s off to him.”
He went on: “In the middle I wanted to see if I could hurt him,” he said. “I know Spence caught him with a body shot, and I saw in the middle of the fight he was open for the left uppercut to the stomach, so I saw that would slow him down.”
The 24-year-old fighter from Southern California has now won seven consecutive fights since he drew with Jamontay Clark in 2019.
The victory over Ocampo, best known for his knockout loss to 147-pound champ Errol Spence Jr. in 2018, certainly wasn’t as sensational as his knockout of Erickson Lubin in April. However, it was convincing, keeping Fundora on track to get his first title shot.
He’s ranked directly below undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo in the WBC rankings, making him a prime candidate to face the winner of the Charlo-Tim Tszyu fight scheduled for January.
“Of course, I want to face the winner of Charlo and Tszyu,” Fundora said. “I’m the WBC mandatory. I’ve earned my spot, and we’ll see what happens. But I hope I’m next. Fingers crossed.”
Middleweight contender Carlos Adames stopped Juan Macias Montiel in the third round of their scheduled 12-rounder Saturday.
Middleweight contender Carlos Adames continues to impress.
The Dominican dominated Juan Macias Montiel before stopping the Mexican in the third round of a scheduled 12-round bout on the Sebastian Fundora-Carlos Ocampo card Saturday in Carson, California.
Adames (22-1, 17 KOs) came out firing hard, accurate shots to the head and body at the opening bell, never really allowing Montiel (23-6-2, 23 KOs) to get going.
Then, late in Round 3, Adames staggered Montiel with a right hook to the temple and followed with a barrage of punches that prompted referee Ray Corona to stop the fight.
The official time was 2:37 of the round.
“I knew once I connected on that right hand it was over,” Adames said. “He didn’t have much left and then I went in for the kill. He was done at that point.”
Adames has now won four consecutive fights since he lost a decision to Patrick Teixeira in 2019, including a decision over Sergey Derevyanchenko last December.
He’s ranked No. 1 by the WBC, directly below champion Jermall Charlo.
Thus, a title shot is on the horizon for the talented fighter from Santo Domingo.
“I think I’m No. 1 and let’s hope the big names of the division have the courage to face me now,” he said through a translator.
Middleweight contender Carlos Adames stopped Juan Macias Montiel in the third round of their scheduled 12-rounder Saturday.
Middleweight contender Carlos Adames continues to impress.
The Dominican dominated Juan Macias Montiel before stopping the Mexican in the third round of a scheduled 12-round bout on the Sebastian Fundora-Carlos Ocampo card Saturday in Carson, California.
Adames (22-1, 17 KOs) came out firing hard, accurate shots to the head and body at the opening bell, never really allowing Montiel (23-6-2, 23 KOs) to get going.
Then, late in Round 3, Adames staggered Montiel with a right hook to the temple and followed with a barrage of punches that prompted referee Ray Corona to stop the fight.
The official time was 2:37 of the round.
“I knew once I connected on that right hand it was over,” Adames said. “He didn’t have much left and then I went in for the kill. He was done at that point.”
Adames has now won four consecutive fights since he lost a decision to Patrick Teixeira in 2019, including a decision over Sergey Derevyanchenko last December.
He’s ranked No. 1 by the WBC, directly below champion Jermall Charlo.
Thus, a title shot is on the horizon for the talented fighter from Santo Domingo.
“I think I’m No. 1 and let’s hope the big names of the division have the courage to face me now,” he said through a translator.
Fernando Martinez defeated Jerwin Ancajas by a wide decision in their rematch Saturday in Carson, California.
Fernando Martinez’s victory over Jerwin Ancajas in February obviously was no fluke,
The Argentine, who took Ancajas’ 115-pound title by a one-sided decision in a memorable brawl eight months ago, left the ring with the same result in their rematch on the Sebastian Fundora-Carlos Ocampo on Saturday in Carson, California.
The official scores were 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110. Boxing Junkie also scored it 118-110, 10 rounds to two.
“This was about validating the first fight,” Martinez said. “I trained very hard for this fight. I have a lot of people to thank and this is for my dad up in heaven.”
Ancajas (33-3-2, 22 KOs) had some success early in the fight by using fleet movement and his boxing skills to blunt Martinez’s relentless aggression.
However, by Round 4 or 5 he began to slow down and Martinez took over, outworking and outslugging his more-experienced Filipino opponent the rest of the way.
Hence the one-sided scores.
Martinez can now focus on the other junior bantamweight titleholders, Juan Francisco Estrada, Joshua Franco and Kazuto Ioka, or top contenders Jessie Rodriguez or Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.
“It’s definitely harder to maintain the hunger and maintain the title but now we’re going after “Chocolatito” and everyone else in the division who’s in my way.”
Ancajas, 30, said he had trouble making 115 pounds for his first fight with Martinez. Perhaps that was a problem again for the rematch.
He’ll probably move up to 118 pounds for his next.
Fernando Martinez defeated Jerwin Ancajas by a wide decision in their rematch Saturday in Carson, California.
Fernando Martinez’s victory over Jerwin Ancajas in February obviously was no fluke,
The Argentine, who took Ancajas’ 115-pound title by a one-sided decision in a memorable brawl eight months ago, left the ring with the same result in their rematch on the Sebastian Fundora-Carlos Ocampo on Saturday in Carson, California.
The official scores were 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110. Boxing Junkie also scored it 118-110, 10 rounds to two.
“This was about validating the first fight,” Martinez said. “I trained very hard for this fight. I have a lot of people to thank and this is for my dad up in heaven.”
Ancajas (33-3-2, 22 KOs) had some success early in the fight by using fleet movement and his boxing skills to blunt Martinez’s relentless aggression.
However, by Round 4 or 5 he began to slow down and Martinez took over, outworking and outslugging his more-experienced Filipino opponent the rest of the way.
Hence the one-sided scores.
Martinez can now focus on the other junior bantamweight titleholders, Juan Francisco Estrada, Joshua Franco and Kazuto Ioka, or top contenders Jessie Rodriguez or Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.
“It’s definitely harder to maintain the hunger and maintain the title but now we’re going after “Chocolatito” and everyone else in the division who’s in my way.”
Ancajas, 30, said he had trouble making 115 pounds for his first fight with Martinez. Perhaps that was a problem again for the rematch.
He’ll probably move up to 118 pounds for his next.
