Sebastian Fundora’s brawl instincts despite his 6-foot-6 frame are always appealing.
However, the 154-pound candidate doesn’t want to be too predictable. So he is trying to take advantage of his physical advantage with boxing more than usual, which we saw in his unanimous decision win over Carlos Ocampo in October.
Does that mean we’ll see the same thing with Brian Mendoza on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California (Showtime)?
Fundora did not speak.
“I really want to box more,” he told Boxing Junkie, referring to the Ocampo match. “I want to show the fans that I’m not a one-way fighter, that I can do things differently. We have shown that. If this war calls for it, why not [do it again]?
“Honestly, I just want to get the job done.”
Fundora (20-0-1, 13 KOs) always gets the job done, except for a draw with Jamontay Clark in 2019.
The resident of the Southern California desert delivered a breakthrough victory last April, when he stood up from the knockout stage to stop Erickson Lubin in the ninth round and became a strong contender for the title. world. He followed that with a win over Ocampo.
Now it’s Mendoza’s turn (21-2, 15 KOs), who hit the jackpot when he briefly fought former unified champion Jeison Rosario and knocked him out in November.
The oddballs have made Fundora a heavy favorite but he believes Mendoza may be better than many realize.
“I think so too,” said Fundora, who holds the WBC’s “provisional” belt. “He is fighting for… the title. I can’t speak for anyone else but there’s a reason he’s fighting here. … He looks strong [against Rosario], he looks good. This must be a good fight.”
If Fundora wins, he will continue to wait for bigger and better opportunities. It could be matches against other big-name 154-pound athletes or the holy grail, a blow to the world title.
Waiting was not easy. For example, Fundora is scheduled to take on former champion Tony Harrison in March. However, Harrison ended up facing (and losing) Tim Tszyu after the Australian’s match against undisputed champion Jermell Charlo was postponed.
Fundora feels “ignored”.
“Harrison was supposed to fight us,” he said. “He is a must for us, for the WBC [interim title]. They did a great job on it. I was like, “Great. We have this fight with Harrison, we have a former champion.’ The war did not take place. And the next thing you know, he’s up against Tim Tszyu.
“I guess that’s the job of boxing but you have to be fair. That’s what I think.”
Fundora is a realist, though. He knows he can only take one path forward: keep working hard, keep winning, keep impressing, and keep believing that great opportunities will come his way.
He hopes to face the winner of the Charlo-Tszyu match, which is scheduled to take place this summer.
“I just kept practicing,” he said. “My parents, my coach (Father Freddy Fundora) always keep me in the ranks if I start questioning everything or whatever the case. Just keep working. My time will come soon.”
