By: Sean Crose
WBC middleweight trainee Sebastian Fundora will return to action tomorrow night in Carson, California, when he faces Carlos Ocampo 34-1 in a scheduled 12-round bout. Fundora 19-0-1 is known as much for his monstrous 6’6 height as well as his boxing abilities. This can and has probably caused the 24-year-old to be underrated. “Fundora Operation Theory”, Brian Campbell writes for CBS Sports, “He was nothing more than an attraction – a boxing oddity because of his spidery frame – who would be folded the first time he stepped up and fought a boxer. The problem with that theory is that it didn’t happen.”
Sure enough, Fundora was able to come out on top to finally stop the undefeated and highly skilled Erickson Lubin back in April. Now he is in line for a world championship shot, provided, of course, that he is the best at Ocampo. That is not a guaranteed thing. After all, Ocampo’s only loss came from the highly regarded boxer of the welterweight king Errol Spence – and that happened over four years ago. The man has gone 12-0 since that time. However, Fundora remained confident on the eve of the fight, which aired on Saturday.
“I feel like I’ve proven to everyone that I’m an elite fighter,” he said at Thursday’s press conference. “I showed that I have what it takes to be a world champion.” However, does he have what it takes to defeat the determined Ocampo? Fundora is clearly the walking favorite, but it’s destabilizing in boxing. “In the boxing ring, you have to focus,” says Fundora ESNews. “You just have to show off your A-Game.” With a future fight with undisputed middleweight champion Jermell Charlo (or Tim Tszyu, who Charlo is expected to fight next) on the line, it’s hard to imagine Fundora not carrying an A -Game her into the ring with him at the Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday.
Asked at Thursday’s press conference what he would like to say to the fans who will be watching the game live on Saturday, Fundora politely spoke with confidence. “I can assure you its worth your money,” he said. “This is my first real main event. I will make sure you get what you want. That, and my sister’s fight too, so it’s going to be a great night. Sure enough, Fundora’s sister, Gabriella Fundora 8-0, will also be participating on Saturday. For Fundora’s, the fighting game is clearly a family affair.
