Fundora: ‘There’s all kinds of big names I want to fight’
Goforitradio Staff
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WBC 154-pound champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora kept his belt after dominating, stopping former world champion Keith Thurman and getting a sixth-round TKO victory in the main event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas(PBC PPV).
Referee Thomas Taylor felt Thurman had taken too much punishment, and he stopped the bout 1:17 into Round 6.
The 6-6 Fundora(24-1-1, 16 KOs) was a nightmare for Thurman(31-2, 23 KOs), who had a difficult time navigating the champion’s height and reach advantage.
“The Towering Inferno” landed at will against Thurman, busting him up. According to ComPuBox, Fundora outlanded Thurman 96-28. Sixty-four of those 96 punches landed were power shots.
Thurman, who fought for the first time in over a year, was never really in this fight.
However, despite having his face battered by Fundora, the 37-year-old Thurman felt he could have kept fighting.
Sean Michael Ham/Premier Boxing Champions
“The fight was getting really good,” Thurman said. “The fans were loving the action, and the referee stopped the fight too early. They don’t have the guts to let the fights go on like the Erik Morales days. He talked to me and said if I was moving my feet, he wouldn’t stop the fight. I wasn’t on the ropes, taking shots. It was very unfortunate to not give the fans a better show. Win, lose, or draw, I thought it was a little bit premature. I had more in me.”
The 28-year-old Fundora, who won his four straight fight, believes he continues to grow as a fighter.
“We’ve been working very hard for this fight,” Fundora said. “I told him that I’ve always looked up to him. He’s a Hall of Famer for sure. I take my hat off to him. That’s why I had to train so hard to prove to the world that I’m the best at 154. I’ve fought in these high-class fights that have allowed me to mature and grow. I’ve continued to strive for greatness, and now I’m here.”
There are many big names at 154 pounds, including unified champion Xander Zayas(WBO/WBA), Jaron Ennis, Vergil Ortiz, Josh Kelly, and more. According to Fundora, he wants all the big names at 154.
“There’s all kinds of big names I want to fight,” Fundora said. “154 is the best division right now. Whoever wants it next can get it.”
Regarding Thurman, he made it clear after the fight that he’s not done. Whether he can be a factor at 154 is debatable, so we’ll see where he goes from here.
