Sebastian Alexander Fundora (born 28 December 1997) is an American professional boxer and unified light middleweight champion who has held the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles since March 2024. As of July 2024, he is ranked as the best active light middleweight by The Ring magazine.[2]

Sebastian Fundora
Born
Sebastian Alexander Fundora

(1997-12-28) December 28, 1997 (age 26)
Other namesThe Towering Inferno
Statistics
Weight(s)Light middleweight
Height6 ft 6 in (198 cm)[1]
Reach80 in (203 cm)[1]
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights23
Wins21
Wins by KO13
Losses1
Draws1

Professional career

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Fundora made his professional debut against Jose Cardenas on 24 September 2016. He won the fight by a first-round knockout. Fundora amassed a 12–0 record during the next three years.[3]

Fundora was booked to face the undefeated Donnie Marshall on 16 February 2019. He won the fight by a third-round knockout.[4] Fundora faced another undefeated opponent, Hector Manuel Zepeda, on 21 June 2019 in the main event of Showtime's "ShoBox: The New Generation" card.[5] Zepeda retired from the bout at the end of the fourth round.[6] Fundora next faced Jamontay Clark for the vacant WBC Youth super welterweight title on 31 August 2019, on the undercard of the Erislandy Lara and Ramon Alvarez WBA super welterweight title bout. The fight was ruled a draw by split decision.[7]

Fundora faced the unbeaten Daniel Lewis on 22 February 2020, on the Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II undercard.[8] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 98–92, 99–91, and 97–93.[9] Fundora was next booked to face Nathaniel Gallimore on 22 August 2020. He won the fight by a sixth-round knockout.[10] Fundora faced Habib Ahmed on 5 December 2020, in his final fight of the year. He made quick work of Ahmed, winning the fight by a second-round knockout.[11]

Fundora was booked to face Jorge Cota on 1 May 2021.[12] He won the fight by a fourth-round technical knockout. Fundora was leading 30–27 on three of the judges' scorecards at the time of the stoppage.[13] Fundora faced Sergio Garcia in a WBC super welterweight title eliminator on 5 December 2021, on the undercard of the Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz lightweight bout.[14] Fundora won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 115–113, 118–110 and 117–111.[15]

Fundora was booked to face Erickson Lubin for the WBC interim super welterweight title on 9 April 2022. The bout served as a WBC title eliminator as well, with the winner expected to face the victor of the title unification rematch between Jermell Charlo and Brian Castaño.[16] He won the fight by a ninth-round stoppage, as Lubin was retired by his corner at the end of the round. Lubin (24-2, 17 KOs) rallied to score a knockdown of Fundora with a flurry of punches in the waning moments of Round 7 and was ahead on two scorecards 85-84 when the fight was stopped (the other score was 85-85).

Fundora made his first WBC interim super welterweight title against Carlos Ocampo on 8 October 2022.[17] He retained the title by unanimous decision, with scores of 117–111, 118–110, and 119–109.[18]

Fundora was booked to make his second WBC interim title defense against Brian Mendoza on 8 April 2023. He lost the fight by a seventh-round knockout. Fundora was knocked down with a flurry of punches near the beginning of the round and failed to rise from the canvas before the ten count ended. He was up on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage, with two judges having awarded him every single round of the contest up to that point, while the third ringside official had him up 59–55.[19]

Fundora was scheduled to face Serhii Bohachuk for the vacant WBC super welterweight title on March 30, 2024 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.[20] However, he faced Tim Tszyu in the main event of that evening for both the vacant WBC title, as well as Tim's WBO super welterweight title, due to Keith Thurman pulling out of the bout with Tszyu following an injury during a training session.[21] Fundora defeated Tszyu by split decision.[22]

On August 28, 2024 it was reported that WBO ordered the junior middleweight title fight between Fundora, who at that time held WBC and WBO titles and Terence Crawford, who held WBA and interim WBO titles.[23][24][25]

Professional boxing record

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23 fights 21 wins 1 loss
By knockout 13 1
By decision 8 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
23 Win 21–1–1 Tim Tszyu SD 12 30 Mar 2024 T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won WBO and vacant WBC light middleweight titles
22 Loss 20–1–1 Brian Mendoza KO 7 (12), 0:39 8 Apr 2023 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S. Lost WBC interim light middleweight title
21 Win 20–0–1 Carlos Ocampo UD 12 8 Oct 2022 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S. Retained WBC interim light middleweight title
20 Win 19–0–1 Erickson Lubin RTD 9 (12), 3:00 9 Apr 2022 Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant WBC interim light middleweight title
19 Win 18–0–1 Sergio Garcia UD 12 5 Dec 2021 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
18 Win 17–0–1 Jorge Cota TKO 4 (12), 2:35 1 May 2021 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
17 Win 16–0–1 Habib Ahmed TKO 2 (12), 1:30 5 Dec 2020 AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S.
16 Win 15–0–1 Nathaniel Gallimore KO 6 (10), 1:28 22 Aug 2020 Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
15 Win 14–0–1 Daniel Lewis UD 10 22 Feb 2020 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
14 Draw 13–0–1 Jamontay Clark SD 10 31 Aug 2019 Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. For vacant WBC Youth light middleweight title
13 Win 13–0 Hector Manuel Zepeda RTD 4 (10), 3:00 21 Jun 2019 WinnaVegas Casino & Resort, Sloan, Iowa, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Donnie Marshall KO 3 (10), 1:08 16 Feb 2019 Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Jeremiah Wiggins KO 1 (6), 0:31 17 Nov 2018 Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Antonio Urista TKO 4 (8), 2:32 24 Aug 2018 Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Ve Shawn Owens TKO 5 (8), 2:37 13 Apr 2018 Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 David Ezequiel Romero UD 6 16 Dec 2017 Estadio F.A.B., Buenos Aires, Argentina
7 Win 7–0 Emiliano David Silguero UD 6 24 Nov 2017 Centro de Convenciones, Punta del Este, Uruguay
6 Win 6–0 Ricardo Arce Sarmiento KO 1 (4), 0:35 28 Oct 2017 Gimnasio de Mexicali, Mexicali, Mexico
5 Win 5–0 Victor Toney UD 6 26 Sep 2017 Cannery Casino & Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Luis Misael Juarez TKO 1 (6), 2:45 28 Jul 2017 Plaza Tinaco, Empalme, Mexico
3 Win 3–0 Obed Soto TKO 2 (6), 1:23 19 May 2017 Gimnasio Solidaridad, Hermosillo, Mexico
2 Win 2–0 Martin Rosas UD 4 28 Apr 2017 Arena ITSON, Ciudad Obregon, Mexico
1 Win 1–0 Jose Cardenas KO 1 (4), 1:12 24 Sep 2016 Los Angeles Badminton Club, El Monte, California, U.S.

Personal life

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Sebastian Fundora's sister Gabriela Fundora is also a professional boxer.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Premier Boxing Champions tale of the tape prior to the Tim Tszyu fight.
  2. ^ "Ratings". The Ring Magazine.
  3. ^ "Sebastian Fundora v Jeremiah Wiggins". boxrec.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  4. ^ Boxingscene Staff (16 February 2019). "Sebastian Fundora Stops Donnie Marshall in Three Rounds". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  5. ^ Random Hits (24 May 2019). "Sebastian Fundora-Hector Zepeda Tops ShoBox Triple, June 21". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  6. ^ Showtime Boxing (22 June 2019). "RESULTS: Sebastian Fundora Defeats Manuel Zepeda". boxing247.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  7. ^ Donovan, Jake (31 August 2019). "Sebastian Fundora, Jamontay Clark Ends in a Split Draw". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  8. ^ Sankey, Daniel (19 February 2020). "Aussie prospect Daniel Lewis faces tall order against Sebastian Fundora". theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  9. ^ Christ, Scott (22 February 2020). "Wilder vs Fury 2 results: Sebastian Fundora wins decision over Daniel Lewis in PPV opener". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  10. ^ Rosenthal, Michael (22 August 2020). "Sebastian Fundora pummels, stops Nathaniel Gallimore". boxingjunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  11. ^ Brookhouse, Brent (5 December 2020). "Sebastian Fundora batters Habib Ahmed en route to second-round TKO on Spence vs. Garcia undercard". cbssports.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  12. ^ Random Hits (13 April 2021). "Sebastian Fundora: Jorge Cota's Past Experience Won't Help Him". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  13. ^ Idec, Keith (1 May 2021). "Sebastian Fundora Stops Jorge Cota in Fourth of WBC Eliminator". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  14. ^ Idec, Keith (5 December 2021). "Sebastian Fundora On Facing Sergio Garcia: I Guarantee You'll Get Your Money's Worth!". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  15. ^ Montero, Michael (5 December 2021). "Sebastian Fundora Outpoints Sergio Garcia In WBC 154-lb. Title Eliminator". ringtv.com. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  16. ^ Idec, Keith (9 March 2022). "Erickson Lubin-Sebastian Fundora Showtime Card 4/9 Headed To Virgin Hotels Las Vegas". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  17. ^ Salazar, Francisco (21 August 2022). "Sebastian Fundora Takes On Carlos Ocampo On Oct. 8 In California". ringtv.com. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  18. ^ Salazar, Francisco (8 October 2022). "Sebastian Fundora Outpunches Tough Carlos Ocampo To Decision Win". ringtv.com. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  19. ^ Christ, Scott (9 April 2023). "Fundora vs Mendoza full fight video highlights and results: Brian Mendoza shocks Sebastian Fundora with knockout upset". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  20. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (28 February 2024). "Sebastian Fundora: Of course I'd want to face Tim Tszyu next if we both win". FIGHTMAG.
  21. ^ Nuttal, Daniel (19 March 2024). "Tszyu's new world title opponent locked in after fight scrapped due to freak injury". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  22. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (31 March 2024). "Sebastian Fundora takes decision against Tim Tszyu to land unified title". FIGHTMAG.
  23. ^ Pugmire, Lance (28 August 2024). "WBO orders Terence Crawford to face Sebastian Fundora". BoxingScene.com.
  24. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (29 August 2024). "Terence Crawford vs Sebastian Fundora for WBO 154 lbs title ordered". FIGHTMAG.
  25. ^ Christ, Scott (28 August 2024). "Terence Crawford vs Sebastian Fundora ordered by WBO". Bad Left Hook.
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Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Sergio Martínez
WBC light middleweight champion
Interim title

April 9, 2022 – April 8, 2023
Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Jermell Charlo
WBC light middleweight champion
March 30, 2024 – present
Incumbent
Preceded by WBO light middleweight champion
March 30, 2024 – present
Awards
Previous:
Tyson Fury vs.
Deontay Wilder III

Round 4
The Ring Round of the Year
vs. Erickson Lubin
Round 7

2022
Next:
O'Shaquie Foster vs.
Eduardo Hernández
Round 11
Achievements
First Brother and sister to
simultaneously hold a world title

March 30, 2024 – present
With: Gabriela Fundora
Incumbent