October 17 set for Sebastian Fundora and Brandon Figueroa double-header
Sebastian Fundora will defend his WBC junior middleweight title against mandatory challenger, Ermal Hadribeaj, on a PBC show on October 10 that will also feature Brandon Figueroa risking his WBA featherweight strap against Tomoki Kameda.
Further down the bill, which takes place at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas and will be broadcast on TNT and DAZN, also features Jermall Charlo against Australian Koen Mazoudier.
“Camp is going great! October 17 is going to be an exciting night for boxing fans, Sebastian ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora will be taking over Las Vegas once again,” Fundora, 24-1 (16 KOs), is quoted as saying via the marketing material.
Fundora was last seen in March, stopping the aging Keith Thurman in six rounds. That showcase two months before Hadribeaj secured his shot with victory on the cards against Bakary Samake.
“I’m working hard to be at my best and become world champion on October 17,” said Hadribeaj, 23-0-1 (8 KOs), in the media release “This is what I’ve worked for my entire career, and I’m going to be prepared for the fight Fundora is gonna bring. If he takes me lightly, he’s gonna be in for a big surprise.”
Figueroa, 27-2-1 (20 KOs), reinvigorated his career in February when he dethroned Nick Ball in the then-champion’s homeland of Liverpool, England.
“I’m feeling strong, sharp and ready to defend my title,” said Figueroa in the prepared statement. “We’ve been pushing hard this camp and making sure I’m prepared for anything. Fans know I always come to fight, so expect a show October 17 in Las Vegas.”
The bout with Kameda, 42-5 (23 KOs), was originally set to take place in Carson, California, but has been switched to Las Vegas.
Kameda hasn’t fought since losing the IBF featherweight title to Angelo Leo in May last year.
“I’m coming to take advantage of this opportunity on October 17 and leave Las Vegas world champion once again,” said Kameda. “Brandon Figueroa is a great champion and I know that when the bell rings, we’re going to give the fans a fight they’ll remember.”
Charlo and Mazoudier were also originally supposed to do battle elsewhere.
Originally scheduled for Australia in July, on the Tim Tszyu-Errol Spence card, the 34-0 (23 KOs) Charlo will now make his return in more familiar surroundings.
“I’ve been waiting on this moment and I’m ready to get back in there and remind everybody who Jermall Charlo is,” said Charlo. “I was ready to fight in July, and when that didn’t happen, I went right back to the gym and kept working. I know my fans have been waiting to see me and I’m gonna step into the ring hungry, focused and with a lot to prove. Mazoudier is coming to make a name for himself, but he’s standing in the way of where I’m trying to go. October 17, I’m coming to make a statement.”
Announced: Sebastian Fundora will defend his WBC junior middleweight title vs Ermal Hadribeaj on October 17th, live on DAZN and TNT.