Fundora’s improved jab and distance work meet Thurman’s timing and experience at 154 pounds
Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) defends his WBC super welterweight championship against former unified champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) on Saturday, March 28, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A match between two fighters at different stages in their career. The young champion against the aging veteran. The 28-year-old Fundora is just beginning his reign as WBC champion in only his third title defense. He’s been improving as a boxer with every fight and has yet to reach his full potential.
Since losing to Brian Mendoza in April of 2023, he’s developed as a fighter, going from a simple insider fighter to using range and keeping his opponents at distance, by learning how to utilize his 80-inch reach effectively.
It was in his first match against Tim Tszyu that he finally began using his physical advantages. Pre-Tszyu, his offense was predominantly power punches on the inside with minimal jabbing. His jab rate was anemic, consisting of a rate near 12.4 percent.
This fighting style was much more aggressive, and he took more punishment as a result, which is what led to him suffering a knockout loss against Mendoza. In his first Tszyu match, he finally began boxing at distance and utilizing his jab efficiently. He jabbed at a career high rate, throwing 437 jabs, which consisted of 60.6 percent of his overall punches.
He continued this strategy in his next match against Chordale Booker, where he earned a fourth-round technical knockout victory, throwing 211 jabs in the process, making up 58.4 percent of his offense (Compubox).
Fundora is on a steady progression, and he now faces a crafty veteran in Thurman who is hungry to capture another world title. Keith has vowed to recapture championship glory and wants to add to his legacy. He looked impressive in his return to the ring after his long 3-year layoff, making quick work of Brock Jarvis, stopping him in the third round.
It appears he’s looking to do the same to Fundora, stating he’s going to chop him down like a tree, giving birth to the hashtag timber. Although Sebastian has been dropped in the past against Erickson Lubin and Brian Mendoza, given his new offensive approach, there are fewer opportunities for Keith to capitalize on.
Thurman is fighting in his second fight at super welterweight. He hasn’t been truly challenged in this division until now, facing one of the best in the division. He’s 37-years old and isn’t as agile or elusive as he once was. In turn, he’s become more economical with his output, choosing to attack with precision rather than volume.
Fundora will pose physically challenging, holding an 11-inch reach advantage and standing nearly a foot taller than Keith. He has true divisional power and will test Thurman’s sharpness, who has only fought in three rounds in the last four years.
This is Sebastian’s fight to lose, and he mustn’t get overconfident or take Thurman lightly who will seek to test him early. If Thurman can’t neutralize the jab, it may be an early night for him.