THE long-awaited return of unified super welterweight champion Sebastian ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora has now been confirmed.
On March 22 at the Michelo Arena, Las Vegas Fundora, 21-1-1 (13 KOs), will defend his WBC and WBO titles against Chordale ‘The Gift’ Booker, 23-1 (11 KOs).
It’s been 11 months since Fundora battled his way to a split decision win against Tim Tszyu at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas. However, their epic battle will be remembered greatly for the amount of blood both men lost during the bout. At the end of round two Tszyu suffered a horrific cut which helped cause one of the goriest fights ever seen. Fundora, too, suffered an injury when his nose was broken early in the fight as well.
Fundora stepped in at short notice to replace original pick Keith Thurman who withdrew because of injury. Ironically Thurman’s next fight will come against Australian opposition in the shape of Brock Jarvis on March 12 in Sydney.
Just as Tszyu was expected to deal with Fundora the new champion will be a confident pick among many to retain his titles against Booker next month. The 33-year-old’s only defeat was an abrupt one in April 2022 when Austin Williams stopped him in the first round. Overpowered at middleweight Booker dropped down to super welterweight to win five fights in a row before moving back to 160 last time out to defeat Brian Damian Chaves. None of Booker’s victories, however, came at the level of Fundora.
“I’m preparing really hard to defend my unified WBC and WBO world titles on March 22 in Las Vegas,” Fundora said. “Everyone can expect to see me prepared and ready to leave it all in the ring like I always do. ‘The Towering Inferno’ is back, and I’m coming to take out everyone in my way.”
“I’ve done everything I could to get here, and it’s a testament to what my foundation represents – going the distance,” Booker said. “I’ve gone the distance to make it to this fight. I’ve taken fights on short notice, fought for less and always kept pushing forward. Now, 15 years into my boxing journey, I’m stepping into the biggest fight of my life. This moment means everything and it’s proof that hard work and perseverance pays off.”
The southpaw battle is backed up by two undercard bouts with more to be announced. At middleweight Elijah Garcia, 16-1 (13 KOs), faces Terrell Gausha, 24-4-1 (12 KOs), while at super welterweight Jesus Ramos, 22-1 (18 KOs), takes on Kevin Zalgado Zambrano, 17-2-1 (12 KOs).
