Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman | PBC PPV - March 28, 2026

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Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman 154-pound title clash being targeted for early 2026

Sebastian Fundora and Keith Thurman are targeting early 2026 to reschedule their junior middleweight title fight, sources tell The Ring.

Thurman was set to challenge for Fundora’s title in October, but the fight was postponed when the latter suffered a hand injury.

Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) is rated No. 2 at 154 pounds by The Ring. “The Towering Inferno” is coming off a seventh-round TKO victory over Tim Tszyu in a July rematch.

Fundora scored a split decision over Tszyu last year to win the title in an upset. The 27-year-old has dizzying height for a 154-pounder at 6-foot-5½ inches.

Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) moved up to junior middleweight in March with a third-round KO victory over Brock Jarvis in Australia. The fight was Thurman’s first in more than three years and was meant to set up a title clash with Tszyu later this year in Australia.

Thurman enjoyed a lengthy title run at 147 pounds. His lone professional defeat came against the legendary Manny Pacquiao in 2019.

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How unusual it for a Keith Thurman bout to be postponed due to injury and for it not to be Thurman the fighter that is injured.

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How unusual it for a Keith Thurman to be postponed due to injury and for it not to be Thurman the fighter that is injured.

Don't worry. When it gets canceled next time it'll be Keith that's injured.

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‘I’m going to bring that fastball’: Keith Thurman plans to showcase his power against Sebastian Fundora

Keith Thurman looks forward to a rescheduled fight date with Sebastian Fundora.



Keith Thurman is still expected to get his shot at WBC super weighterweight titleholder Sebastian Fundora after having the fight originally postponed due to a Fundora injury, and here he talks to Ring Magazine about the fight which he still anticipates taking place despite a new date still not having been announced just yet. Thurman says that he expects a formal announcement of the new fight date to come within the next couple of weeks, while he also looks to showcase a return to his younger form in this outing — although he later did some equivocating on exactly what style he intends to employ.

Thurman on fighting Fundora
“Ya’ll don’t understand Keith Thurman’s love for the sport, man. The only reason why I’m here, the only reason why I got to where I got to, it’s just pure love and devotion to boxing, man…There’s nothing like being in the ring, baby. And, you know, I want to fight the best, I want to challenge myself…I just want to make history and show the real, great fighters, you can’t stop them from being champion again. And that’s my motivation.”

On having the fight delayed and when the new date will be announced
“I’m hoping within 10 days to two weeks or so, to come out with an announcement. They put something in my ear but you know how this sport can be. I take it with a grain of salt, but it tells me to stay active, stay in the gym. I had a good workout this morning so I’m looking forward to this announcement.

“You’re going to watch that man fall down once again, like he’s already done in his career. I’m just coming to bring the big power. And, you know, power leaves last. I’ve always been a power puncher, and I know I was finessing and I was boxing, I was showing my footwork — that was fun, I’m tired of that. So I’m going to go back to that crack…I’m gong to bring that fastball for you.”

On how he plans to keep from getting overwhelmed by Fundora
“Remember B-Hop? Remember what B-Hop was doing? You just have to do things smarter, not harder. When you have knowledge and you have wisdom then utilize it. Why would I be trying to do all this stuff that a young man would do when I can stay in the pocket, stay cool, if he ain’t pressing, I’m not pressing. We manipulate moments in boxing, right.

“It’s about finessing those moments to where you’re not always having to dance around the ring. But you’d be surprised. These legs are still active. I still got lots of mobility in me and I plan to showcase it and a moving target is hard to hit and luckily for me I still got some movement in me but there’s just a different approach at this age in general, and I still think we can pack great results and be world champion once again.

“I got a whole bag of tricks, man. The number one thing that’s the hardest part about fighting Keith Thurman is they always underestimate how tricky I can be. And I love it. They try to put you in a box…but that lateral movement from my HBO days, and even when I was in Australia, I put Brock Jarvis to it. I love to test fighters…and when they have a problem keeping up with my movement, that’s when I find that One Time, that’s when I find them shots in between and that’s what I mean by manipulating moments.

“To me, Fundora is more of an obstacle course. He’s young, strong, but fundamentally I see a lot of mistakes, I see a lot of holes like Swiss cheese…You got to put a veteran in like me to see if these young boys are the next Him or not.”

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Beautifulideas.inDoes 'One Time' even have enough left in the tank for 154? Hard to pick a guy coming off that much inactivity against someone with Fundora's volume. I went Fundora by Decision.

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ANNOUNCED: Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman undercard confirmed for March 28th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas:

Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr
Yoenli Hernandez vs Terrell Gausha
Elijah Garcia vs Kevin Newman II

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Richard Torrez Jr.-Frank Sanchez heads up Fundora-Thurman undercard

The fight will provide chief support to the bout between WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora and Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Prime Video PPV.

Also featured on the card is a middleweight contest between Yoenli Hernandez and Terrell Gausha, as well as Elijah Garcia taking on Kevin Newman II in a 168-pound tilt.

Sanchez and Torrez have long been linked for a bout, and they finally have a date set for their significant slugfest. The winner will emerge as the mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk, The Ring, IBF, WBA and WBC champion and pound-for-pound king.

“A victory on March 28 moves me one step closer to being the IBF’s mandatory challenger and realizing my dream of becoming the first Cuban heavyweight champion of the world,” said Sanchez. “Torrez is a strong fighter who’s hungry to prove himself, but I will win this fight in grand fashion for my great Cuban and Latino fans.”

“The Cuban Flash” Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs) bounced back from the lone loss of his career in 2024, a seventh-round stoppage against Agit Kabayel, with a tune-up fight and third-round stoppage against Ramon Olivas Echeverria last February in Mexico.

Torrez (14-0, 12 KOs), The Ring’s No. 9-ranked heavyweight contender and a 2020 US Olympic silver medalist, took home a pair of wins last year against Guido Vianello in April and Tomas Salek in November.

“Frank is skilled, technical and dangerous, and that’s exactly the kind of challenge I’ve been looking for,” said Torrez. “Great fighters don’t avoid tests; they run toward them. I’ve prepared for every moment of this fight, and when the bell rings, I’m coming to take over.”

In other action, Hernandez (9-0, 8 KOs), a power-punching Cuban and The Ring’s No. 2-rated middleweight contender, and Gausha (24-5-1, 12 KOs), a 2012 US Olympian, will meet in a 10-round middleweight matchup.

“I’m extremely grateful for another opportunity to showcase my talents,” said Hernandez. “But let’s be real, not everyone has the heart to step in there with me. Respect to the one who will on March 28. I’m locked in, staying sharp and I’m coming to make a statement. No shortcuts, no excuses, just pressure. Stay tuned.”

Hernandez was previously linked to a fight with Jahi Tucker before Gausha landed the assignment.

“I’m a true professional who’s always training, because boxing is what I do,” said Gausha. “I’ve seen Yoenli fight and he’s a young, strong, skilled fighter. If you’ve watched my fights in the past, you’ll know that’s what I like. I want to test myself against the best. Beating him will get me close to my goal of becoming world champion. That’s what I’m here for.”

Opening the PPV portion of the show is Garcia (17-1, 13 KOs), who makes his super middleweight debut against Newman (18-3-1, 11 KOs).

Garcia, a 22-year-old from Arizona, is looking to get his career back on track. Garcia was fortunate to secure a split decision win against Gausha last March in a fight many believed he lost. Garcia was also dropped in the fight, and the performance followed a split decision loss to Kyrone Davis in June 2024.

The two fights came after Garcia stopped Jose Armando Resendiz inside eight rounds in September 2023. Resendiz has since revived his career with an Upset of the Year win against Caleb Plant, and he’s currently the WBA super middleweight titleholder.

“I’m working hard and can’t wait to show everything we’ve been working on in camp,” said Garcia. “This is a big opportunity to make a statement at super middleweight, and I’m gonna make the most of it.”

Newman (18-3-1, 11 KOs), meanwhile, will be stepping up to a significant stage for the first time in his 12-year career.

“I want to thank everyone who made this opportunity possible,” said Newman. “I’m looking forward to getting into the ring on March 28 and showcasing my skills. I’m coming to put on a dominant performance from start to finish.”

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Later this month

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‘The story’s not over’: Keith Thurman looks to cement legacy with win over Sebastian Fundora

Keith Thurman looks to secure another world title in his next outing.

As Keith Thurman prepares to make his return to the ring in a super welterweight title fight against WBC champion Sebastian Fundora on March 28, PBC takes fans behind the scenes of both fighters as they get ready for the ocassion.

“One can reflect and say ‘you were the unified welterweight champion, you packed out the MGM Grand,’ yeah, they can still throw me in the Hall of Fame as is, but something in my heart, something in my gut, something in my soul says the story’s not over,” Thurman said. “So for me, don’t matter if [Fundora] is 6’6”, 6’7” — he can’t stop me…Fundora doesn’t know what’s about to hit him. He doesn’t know what the f-ck he just did.”

Fundora, however, has other plans for what’s to come.

“He wants to come in there and break my face and take my title and embarrass me that night in front of all my fans, in front of all my family. Why can’t I do the same thing?” Fundora would say. “He’s a salesman. He’s trying to sell the fight, which is good. That’s what he’s known for, that’s why they bring him out over and over. How I speak is inside the ring with my hands…I’ll show you in the ring why I’m champion.”

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Unfortunately, there is still plenty of time for either one of them to get hurt - again.

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Fundora seeks statement win vs. Thurman to prove he’s king of 154

The junior middleweight division is considered the deepest in boxing.

Sebastian Fundora, ranked No. 2 by The Ring in the weight class, plans to prove he’s the best of them all when he defends his WBC title against Keith Thurman on March 28 to headline a PBC on Prime Video PPV at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Although the 6-foot, 5½ inch Fundora has never given up a size advantage, he still perceives the past-his-prime Thurman a tall order in his quest to plow through the pecking order.

“Beating this former world champion will make a big statement,” Fundora said during a recent media workout. “I still feel like I’m at the top of the division. I don’t think we’ve lost any momentum [with my hand injury]. We just had to reschedule [from the original October 25 date]. We’re not hiding from anybody. This is gonna remind everyone that we are at the top.”

Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) has an opportunity to grab the division by its horns in the Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) fight now that the bout between Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Jaron Ennis is off.

Ortiz appears to be sidelined for the foreseeable future because of his legal entanglement with Golden Boy. Ennis, meanwhile, is moving on to a May return and is eyeing WBA and WBO champion Xander Zayas or IBF titleholder Josh Kelly.

If the underestimated Fundora beats Thurman as expected – he’s a -380 betting favorite – “The Towering Inferno” can fan the flames for a long-planned title unification fight or move on to other lucrative opportunities within the PBC universe in Errol Spence Jr. and Jermell Charlo.

“I’m fighting one of the best fighters of this era in Thurman,” said Fundora. “Keith’s trash talk is good for TV, that’s what I’ll say. He’s always been the bad guy going into a fight because of that, and he backs it up a lot. But this time he’s not gonna be able to back it up.

“You’re gonna see the king of 154 do his thing all over again.”

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Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr is postponed and won't take place on the Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman card on March 28th as Sanchez is dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee, sources tell The Ring's @MikeCoppinger.

Sanchez won’t be able to train for several weeks and the fight will be rescheduled, with May the target.

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Torrez should just fight someone else. There's no sense in waiting around for a regular fight.

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Keith Thurman responds to Sebastian Fundora's claim that he's not yet an 'OG'

Keith Thurman was in typically charismatic form at Wednesday's media webinar to promote his March 28 shot at WBC junior middleweight beltholder Sebastian Fundora.

"I hear what Sebastian Fundora has been saying," Thurman said. "He 'knows' Keith Thurman is just another fighter. But he's trying to simplify it for himself... He needs to do what he's always done... He feels confident. Well, he's gonna find out."

Thurman's comments were in response to Fundora, 23-1-1 (15 KOs), insinuating that Thurman wasn't an 'OG' because to be regarded as an 'OG' the fighter in question must be retired.

"I just see it as another fight," said the comparatively mild-mannered Fundora when asked if Thurman was an all-time great. "OGs are not really in this sport no more. When they get old, they shouldn't be fighting."

"They were smart comments," Thurman, 31-1 (23 KOs), said. "This is definitely the second leg of my race. This where the legacy is written, or not. Something great will be written, or not.

"Seb likes that he's young, that he's the champ, he's gonna come in shape. But being champ ain't easy.

"There was a time when you love [being a boxer] but when you get to the top, it starts to feel like a job. It's a different feeling, I didn't like having that feeling. But the feeling I have now is beautiful. The feeling that I'm gonna take the title again is a beautiful feeling."

The 37-year-old Thurman, a former welterweight beltholder, has struggled with injuries and time out of the ring in recent years. From 2013 to 2017, however, he was widely regarded as one of the premier talents in the entire sport. A 2019 loss to Manny Pacquiao followed. Then came another spell on the sidelines before he returned in 2022 to defeat Mario Barrios. His only action after that came last March, almost one year from today, when he outclassed Brock Jarvis to signal his arrival on the junior-middleweight landscape.

Fundora, meanwhile has been active and in impressive form. Since losing to Brian Mendoza in 2023, he has twice defeated Tim Tszyu and also stopped Chordale Booker.

"I now have a voice within me that says, 'You can do more, champ. The greatness isn't done, champ.' This is going to be a big win; it's going to be a great story.

"[Fundora] is going to realise what a legend is. He ain't tasted one yet."

The showdown between Fundora and Thurman will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be streamed on Amazon Prime PPV.

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Thurman: Spence, Charlo will chase me after snatching Fundora's title

Keith Thurman believes familiar faces will become future foes if he beats 154-pound WBC champion Sebastian Fundora on March 28.

Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) plans on reviving his career at 37 to become a power player once again, much like he was as a unified welterweight champion nearly nine years ago.

At the time, Thurman was operating at the peak of his powers and chasing a Floyd Mayweather matchup while peers Errol Spence and Terence Crawford were getting muted whenever it was time to discuss a fight.

Now, Thurman, Spence, as well as Jermell Charlo, seemingly all need each other as they navigate in the advanced stages of their careers while seeking meaningful and lucrative fights in the junior middleweight division.

“People are wondering why I'm fighting Fundora and not Spence or Charlo,” Thurman told The Ring.

“Those are great fights, but you can't fight people when there are no contracts. Those guys have been inactive, similar to me, and we've had different timelines. So do they need tune-ups? Or are they ready to get in the ring with elite competition right away?

“They don't want to fight me because I don't have a world title. They don't want the bragging rights. But they are going to want to fight me after I beat Fundora. The risk-reward factor will be leveled once I become the champion, and it'll be easier for them to step up to me. We'll see what happens.”

Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) hasn’t fought since getting stopped by Crawford in July 2023. Spence turned 36 this month and should be making his long-planned 154-pound debut.

Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs), the former undisputed junior middleweight champion, hasn’t fought since getting dropped in a one-sided unanimous decision defeat against then-undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez in September 2023. Charlo turns 36 in May.

The oft-injured Thurman hasn’t been a poster child for activity, either, fighting just twice since the lone loss of his career against Manny Pacquiao in 2019.

But Thurman has been picked to spearhead another PPV show, this time in a title shot against Fundora that could lead to bigger and better things against his longtime PBC stablemates if he emerges victorious.

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Yoenli Hernandez Promises To ‘Demolish’ Every Middleweight In His Way

Yoenli Hernandez doesn’t think Terrell Gausha will last more than eight rounds in their upcoming middleweight match March 28.

The unbeaten Cuban contender is a 12-1 favorite according to DraftKings, but Gausha hasn’t been knocked out during his 13-year professional career. The 2012 U.S. Olympian from Cleveland has lost 12-round unanimous decisions to two reigning 160-pound champions, Erislandy Lara and Carlos Adames, former WBO junior middleweight champ Tim Tszyu and longtime 154-pound contender Erickson Lubin.

Hernandez realizes that stopping even this 38-year-old version of Gausha, who will end a one-year layoff, would make the type of statement the emerging puncher needs as he attempts to create demand for a title fight later this year.

“I’m gonna just show the world that ‘Yo-Yo The Devil’ is here to stay and I’m gonna prevail,” Hernandez said during a virtual press conference recently. “I’m gonna win in style. Social media then is gonna be on fire and you’re gonna see that Yoenli is here to stay for a long, long time. So, the division better be aware, because I’m coming.”

The 28-year-old Hernandez (9-0, 8 KOs) and Gausha (24-5-1, 12 KOs) will on the Prime Video Pay-Per-View portion of the Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman undercard two weeks from Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“I don’t care about who’s standing in my way,” Hernandez said. “I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna demolish everybody that’s in my way because I’m the champion, I want the throne and whoever tries to dethrone me after that, it’s gonna be someone that I just have to take out of my way.”

Hernandez is ranked second among The Ring’s middleweight contenders for a vacant championship. Only Adames is ranked ahead of him.

The Dominican Republic’s Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs) will defend his WBC belt against Austin “Ammo” Williams (20-1, 13 KOs), who is ranked eighth by The Ring, in a DAZN main event March 21 at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. Hernandez is also the No. 2 contender for Adames’ championship and would gladly challenge the Adames-Williams winner next.

“I’m up to fight absolutely anybody,” Hernandez said. “Bring on all the champions, because the goal is to show that I’m number one in the division.”

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TELLEZ-MENDOZA NEW CO-FEATURE ON FUNDORA-THURMAN CARD MARCH 28

Premier Boxing Champions quickly found a replacement for the Frank Sanchez-Richard Torrez Jr. fight that was postponed this week.

PBC announced Friday afternoon that junior middleweights Yoenis Tellez and Brian Mendoza will square off in its new co-feature March 28 in Las Vegas. The bout between Cuba’s Tellez (11-1, 8 KOs) and Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Mendoza (23-4, 17 KOs) will immediately precede Amazon Prime Video’s pay-per-view main event, Sebastian Fundora versus Keith Thurman, at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Cuba’s Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs) and Torrez (14-0, 12 KOs), of Tulare, California, were set to meet two weeks from Saturday night in an IBF heavyweight elimination match. Sanchez aggravated a lingering knee injury during training camp and asked for a postponement.

Tellez, 25, is trying to re-establish himself in the 154-pound division following a unanimous-decision defeat to Germany’s Abass Baraou (17-2, 9 KOs) in their 12-round fight for the WBA interim super welterweight title August 23 at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. He stopped Kendo Castaneda (21-13, 9 KOs) in the fifth round December 13 at Caribe Royale – Tellez’s only action since Baraou dropped him in the 12th round and beat him on all three scorecards.

Mendoza, 32, upset Fundora by seventh-round knockout to win the WBC interim super welterweight crown in April 2023. He lost back-to-back 12-round unanimous decisions to former WBO champ Tim Tszyu and another ex-WBC interim champ, Serhii Bohachuk, in his two fights following his victory over Fundora.

Mendoza fought only once since Bohachuk beat him in March 2024. He stopped journeyman Jesus Rojas (then 12-10-2) in the fourth round July 4 in Cuidad, Juarez, Mexico.

The 6-foot-6 Fundora won the vacant WBC belt by beating Tszyu in March 2024, in his first fight after Mendoza knocked him out. Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs), of Coachella, California, will defend his WBC belt against Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs, 1 NC), a former WBA/WBC welterweight champ from Clearwater, Florida.

PBC also announced Friday that Armenian heavyweight prospect Gurgen Hovhannisyan (9-0, 8 KOs) will oppose Phoenix’s Cesar Navarro (15-3, 13 KOs) in the 10-round opener of PBC’s pay-per-view broadcast March 28. Cuban middleweight contender Yoenli Hernandez (9-0, 8 KOs) is set to face Cleveland’s Terrell Gausha (24-5-1, 12 KOs) in the second fight on this pay-per-view show.

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ELIJAH GARCIA TO HEADLINE SHOW THAT PRECEDES FUNDORA-THURMAN PPV

The PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view event on March 28 headlined by WBC junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora and challenger Keith Thurman will be preceded by a three-fight show on Prime Video.

The stream will begin at 2:30 p.m. PDT/5:30 p.m. EDT at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Headlining the non-PPV portion of the program – which is billed as First on Prime – is a 10-round super middleweight bout between Elijah Garcia and Kevin Newman.

“I’m working hard and can’t wait to show everything we’ve been working on in camp," Garcia said in a statement. “This is a big opportunity to make a statement at super middleweight, and I’m gonna make the most of it.”

Garcia (17-1, 13 KOs), a 22-year-old southpaw from Arizona, appeared to be on the verge of a breakout in 2023, highlighted by a knockout victory over Armando Resendiz, who has since picked up a notable win over Caleb Plant and is the current WBA 168-pound champion.

However, Garcia's momentum stalled over his next two bouts, putting his title hopes on uncertain footing.

He absorbed the first defeat of his career in June 2024, dropping a split decision to Kyrone Davis. Garcia returned last March and edged out a split decision against Terrell Gausha. But the outcome sparked debate, as Garcia was knocked down in the opening round, and Gausha held a significant edge in punches landed.

Newman (18-3-1, 11 KOs) is riding a seven-fight winning streak over the last five years and will further look to derail Garcia’s career.

“I’m coming to put on a dominant performance from start to finish,” Newman said in a statement.

Kicking off the televised action is a 10-round lightweight fight between Kaipo Gallegos (11-0-1, 9 KOs) and Julian Gonzalez (16-1-1, 12 KOs).

Also featured on the card is a six-round featherweight fight between Brayan Gonzalez, who is unbeaten in four fights, and Brandon Guerrero.

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Fight week!!

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Keith Thurman Faces Down Father Time, Sebastian Fundora

Sebastian Fundora expects to face the best version of Keith Thurman when they square off Saturday night.

Throughout the entire buildup of their bout, Fundora said he’s preparing as if it's Thurman who beat Danny Garcia to become a unified welterweight champion.

But that was a lifetime ago — March 4, 2017, to be exact — when Fundora was one fight into his pro career. Fundora has since developed to become the WBC junior middleweight champion and The Ring’s No. 2 contender in the division.
Thurman, meanwhile, has seen his career crater due to a rash of injuries and incredible inactivity, fighting just four times in nine years since beating Garcia.

Now 37, “One Time” Thurman is suddenly looking to fight Father Time while taming the flame that is “The Towering Inferno” Fundora.

Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) no longer sports the long flowing hair and braids; it’s now a clean, fatherly cut. And although he’s lost some zip off his jab, his gab is as good as ever as he’s boasting a big game for Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) ahead of their PBC on Prime Video PPV bout that will take place at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“There are so many unfortunate events that I've had to endure,” Thurman told The Ring. “Someway, somehow, everything slows with the seasons. Like this too shall pass. I have a lot of fight left in me. I'm not quitting anytime soon. It's Thurman versus everybody.

“Fundora is game enough to step up to the plate and make this fight happen. I love it. We get to make American boxing great again."

Before beating Garcia, Thurman's resume featured wins against Robert Guerrero, Luis Collazo and Shawn Porter in two years. He was 28 at the time and pushing for a fight against Floyd Mayweather.

But then Thurman faced several career and life-changing situations, which included surgeries, marriage, a loss to Manny Pacquiao, the pandemic, becoming a father and more surgeries, all while PBC staged fewer shows.

Just to get some semblance of activity, Thurman fought for the first time in three years, 12 months ago, when he travelled to Australia and knocked out the outmatched Brock Jarvis in three rounds during his 154-pound debut.

“In my fight in Australia, it felt like we did it, and we showed the world that I am ready for action,” said Thurman.

Thurman went to the Land Down Under looking to line up a fight once again against Tim Tszyu. But that plan fell apart after Tszyu got destroyed in a July rematch against Fundora.

In some ways, the underestimated Fundora should be forever grateful to Thurman.

Thurman was supposed to face Tszyu in March 2024, but pulled out of the fight less than two weeks before due to a torn biceps. Fundora got the call to step in as a late replacement and beat Tszyu in a bloodbath to become a titleholder and power player in the division.

“We had to pump the brakes one more time,” said Thurman. “It's just challenging. Luckily for me, I always find a way to stay optimistic. I count my blessings and keep on keeping on.”

Thurman also needs to count on having a turn-back-the-clock-like performance in what may turn out to be the toughest task of his career.

Thurman will have to overcome an eight-inch height disadvantage against the 6-foot, 5 ½ inch Fundora, a whopping 11 inches in reach, nine years in youth and massive underdog status against the minus-380 betting favorite.

If you ask Thurman, however, Fundora has never faced anyone on his level, and a win will propel his career to even more significant matchups in boxing’s deepest division.

“Sebastian Fundora doesn't have someone like me on his resume,” said Thurman.

“Not only is this title fight important for me, but it's important for him. If the next generation is going to take over, you have to get rid of me. It's no easy task, and it hasn't been easy for anyone throughout my career.”

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Final presser

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Weigh in live stream

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Regretful Tellez intent to regain what he lost with Mendoza win

Yoenis Tellez steadily ascended in the junior middleweight division once he started boxing in the United States in November 2022.

The skillful, strong Cuban knocked out durable Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in the third round on the Terence Crawford-Errol Spence Jr. undercard in July 2023. Tellez remains the only opponent to stop Garcia inside the distance.
A one-sided points victory over former unified 154-pound champ Julian Williams on the Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach undercard a year ago further strengthened Tellez’s standing in his division, because he won the WBA’s interim championship that night.

A legitimate title shot seemed well within reach for a formidable fighter who handled much more experienced opponents without much difficulty and typically took advantage of undercard spots on high-profile Premier Boxing Champions cards. Tellez was consequently around a 7-1 favorite to defeat Germany’s Abass Baraou on August 23 at Caribe Royale Orlando, where Tellez’s handlers at Boxlab Promotions regularly stages shows.

An unfazed Baraou out-worked Tellez in his adopted backyard, dropped him in the 12th round and beat him unanimously on the cards (117-110, 116-111, 115-113). One of boxing’s most promising young fighters suddenly found himself in rebuilding mode.

“I was going through some personal issues,” Tellez told The Ring regarding training camp before he faced Baraou. “Fundamentally, it was about discipline. I thought that those things that were happening outside the ring wouldn’t affect me. I was wrong. Everything wound up going against me in the sense that it led to the loss. I wasn’t a hundred percent focused, and that’s the bottom line.”

Tellez declined to elaborate on the troubles he endured while preparing for the Baraou bout.

He preferred to focus on his opportunity Saturday night to start regaining the momentum he lost seven months ago. Tellez (11-1, 8 KOs) will battle Brian Mendoza (23-4, 17 KOs), another former interim 154-pound champion eager to reclaim his standing in their division, in the co-feature on the Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman undercard.
“Mendoza is someone that’s among the elite,” Tellez said, “someone that’s really strong, has earned his respect in the division and someone that has had a really good pro career. I’m sure that it’s gonna be a good fight on [Saturday night].”
Mendoza viciously knocked out Fundora in the seventh round of their April 2023 bout in Carson, California. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native lost unanimous decisions to former WBO champ Tim Tszyu and onetime WBC interim champ Serhii Bohachuk in his two subsequent bouts.
Tellez, 25, and Mendoza, 32, know winning Saturday night would at least put one of them in position to call out the Fundora-Thurman winner. Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs), of Coachella, California, is scheduled to defend his WBC junior middleweight title against Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs, 1 NC), of Clearwater, Florida, in the main event of PBC’s Prime Video pay-per-view show at MGM Grand Garden Arena (8 p.m. ET; 5 p.m. PDT; $74.99).
“My mentality is regaining what was lost [against Baraou],” Tellez said. “But I know that if I train the way that I am and stay focused, that I’m gonna be able to regain what I had and more, because I’m doing the right things.”
While he didn’t prepare properly for the Baraou bout, Tellez, a 3-1 favorite to defeat Mendoza, according to DraftKings, denied that he simply underestimated the then-unknown underdog. Xander Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs), the WBA/WBO 154-pound champ, told The Ring before he beat Baraou (17-2, 9 KOs) by split decision January 31 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that he sensed Tellez overlooked his former sparring partner.
“I don’t underestimate anybody,” Tellez said. “He has two feet, two hands, just like me. And I never overlook anybody that’s in front of me. But like I’ve said, the whole thing was that my mentality wasn’t stable. I didn’t have my head in the game the way that I needed to, and that was my downfall in the end. But I wasn’t about to overlook someone that was in front of me, much less somebody like that.”

[MPW]

Regretful Tellez intent to regain what he lost with Mendoza win

Yoenis Tellez steadily ascended in the junior middleweight division once he started boxing in the United States in November 2022.

The skillful, strong Cuban knocked out durable Spanish contender Sergio Garcia in the third round on the Terence Crawford-Errol Spence Jr. undercard in July 2023. Tellez remains the only opponent to stop Garcia inside the distance.
A one-sided points victory over former unified 154-pound champ Julian Williams on the Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach undercard a year ago further strengthened Tellez’s standing in his division, because he won the WBA’s interim championship that night.

A legitimate title shot seemed well within reach for a formidable fighter who handled much more experienced opponents without much difficulty and typically took advantage of undercard spots on high-profile Premier Boxing Champions cards. Tellez was consequently around a 7-1 favorite to defeat Germany’s Abass Baraou on August 23 at Caribe Royale Orlando, where Tellez’s handlers at Boxlab Promotions regularly stages shows.

An unfazed Baraou out-worked Tellez in his adopted backyard, dropped him in the 12th round and beat him unanimously on the cards (117-110, 116-111, 115-113). One of boxing’s most promising young fighters suddenly found himself in rebuilding mode.

“I was going through some personal issues,” Tellez told The Ring regarding training camp before he faced Baraou. “Fundamentally, it was about discipline. I thought that those things that were happening outside the ring wouldn’t affect me. I was wrong. Everything wound up going against me in the sense that it led to the loss. I wasn’t a hundred percent focused, and that’s the bottom line.”

Tellez declined to elaborate on the troubles he endured while preparing for the Baraou bout.

He preferred to focus on his opportunity Saturday night to start regaining the momentum he lost seven months ago. Tellez (11-1, 8 KOs) will battle Brian Mendoza (23-4, 17 KOs), another former interim 154-pound champion eager to reclaim his standing in their division, in the co-feature on the Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman undercard.
“Mendoza is someone that’s among the elite,” Tellez said, “someone that’s really strong, has earned his respect in the division and someone that has had a really good pro career. I’m sure that it’s gonna be a good fight on [Saturday night].”
Mendoza viciously knocked out Fundora in the seventh round of their April 2023 bout in Carson, California. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native lost unanimous decisions to former WBO champ Tim Tszyu and onetime WBC interim champ Serhii Bohachuk in his two subsequent bouts.
Tellez, 25, and Mendoza, 32, know winning Saturday night would at least put one of them in position to call out the Fundora-Thurman winner. Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs), of Coachella, California, is scheduled to defend his WBC junior middleweight title against Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs, 1 NC), of Clearwater, Florida, in the main event of PBC’s Prime Video pay-per-view show at MGM Grand Garden Arena (8 p.m. ET; 5 p.m. PDT; $74.99).
“My mentality is regaining what was lost [against Baraou],” Tellez said. “But I know that if I train the way that I am and stay focused, that I’m gonna be able to regain what I had and more, because I’m doing the right things.”
While he didn’t prepare properly for the Baraou bout, Tellez, a 3-1 favorite to defeat Mendoza, according to DraftKings, denied that he simply underestimated the then-unknown underdog. Xander Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs), the WBA/WBO 154-pound champ, told The Ring before he beat Baraou (17-2, 9 KOs) by split decision January 31 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that he sensed Tellez overlooked his former sparring partner.
“I don’t underestimate anybody,” Tellez said. “He has two feet, two hands, just like me. And I never overlook anybody that’s in front of me. But like I’ve said, the whole thing was that my mentality wasn’t stable. I didn’t have my head in the game the way that I needed to, and that was my downfall in the end. But I wasn’t about to overlook someone that was in front of me, much less somebody like that.”

Featuring two boxers who can't afford a loss, this one has the potential to be the fight of the night. I was extremely high on Tellez and then he got schooled by Baraou (who has proved to be no slouch himself), while Mendoza was unable to capitalize on the KO of Fundora and move into the elite status.