Sebastian Fundora puts his title on the line against Keith Thurman this weekend – and Australia’s Tim Tszyu has offered his verdict on who gets the job done.
The red-hot super welterweight division takes centre stage on Sunday (AEDT) when Fundora defends his WBC strap against former unified champ Thurman at the MGM in Las Vegas.
Fundora vs Thurman | Sunday 29 March from 11am AEDT | WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Sebastian Fundora will return to the ring looking to continue his 154-pound reign against the former unified world champion Keith Thurman. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Aussie fight fans won’t need much of a reminder about what Fundora brings to the table. The 6-foot-5 (196cm) American, boasting an 80-inch (203cm) reach, stunned Tszyu in 2024 to claim a bloody split decision – and the Sydneysider’s world title.
The pair met again in a blockbuster rematch over a year later, with Tszyu pulled out after seven punishing rounds.
Now, ‘The Towering Inferno’ faces a very different challenge.
Thurman, a former unified welterweight champ and slightly shorter than Tszyu, is stepping back into boxing after years on the sidelines.
In his prime, ‘One Time’ was one of the most dangerous fighters around, with the boxing IQ, speed and power to beat the likes of Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia.
But many questions remain over the 37-year-old’s current form, with his last win coming against Aussie Brock Jarvis in Sydney in early 2025.
The pair were originally booked to meet in October last year before Fundora’s hand injury forced a delay.
TSZYU’S PREDICTION
Tszyu believes Thurman has all the tools to cause problems in Sunday’s showdown.
“He’s got the footwork,” Tszyu told Fight Hub TV.
“If he leads him onto a certain punch, he’s got the power… It’s not like Fundora’s head movement is strong.
“He’s just got this relentlessness about him and his head’s in the same place.”
But in the end, ‘The Phoenix’ expects the towering southpaw to prove too much.
“I think Fundora wins,” he said.
“The thing with Fundora is that he’s very tall and when he throws punches, it’s like he throws down and it doesn’t take much energy.
“It’s not like his punches are physically hard, but they are very stingy. They are non-stop.
“It’s going to be an interesting fight, but with the way Fundora fought in his last fight he will be a hard man to beat.”
THURMAN’S WARNING
Thurman may be the underdog, but he’s also a man preparing to remind the world of his talent.
“It’s a heavy weight on the shoulders being champion,” Thurman said during the press conference.
“I know! He’s gonna see what an OG can do…I’ve got several more tangos left in me and that’s what March 28 is all about. I’m back in the spotlight and ready to showcase my talents.
“When he goes down, he’s gonna realize what a legend is. He hasn’t met one yet.
“He knows what he needs to tell himself to get in the ring like it’s just another day. I take it a little more seriously than that, and he’s gonna find out that March 28 isn’t just another day, it’s Thurman’s day.”
Despite giving up significant height, Thurman insists he’s prepared for the challenge – even adjusting the height of punching bags during camp to mimic Fundora’s unique frame.
“My sparring partners definitely have the height and reach that’s gotten me familiar with what I need,” Thurman said.
“Of course I won’t be facing the real Sebastian Fundora until I’m in the ring, just like he won’t be facing the real Keith Thurman until then.
“I’m in there trading punches with heavyweights for this fight. My two sparring partners are giving both of Fundora’s looks, the come-forward fighter or the back-foot jabber, and they’ve got me prepared for whatever he brings on March 28.”
Thurman also assured fight fans that this one won’t be going the distance.
“There’s no 12-rounder here. I promise you that much,” Thurman told journalist Curran Bhatia.
“Somebody’s hitting the canvas. Him or me.”
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FUNDORA IS ALL BUSINESS
Fundora believes a win over Thurman will catapult him to the next level, elevating his profile to one of the biggest names in the fight game.
“From myself, I expect to win…I think this fight right here will put me in a different stage in my life,” he told Fight Hub TV.
“I’m a world champion already but I think a fight like this could make us a superstar…He’s a future Hall of Famer, for sure.
“I think that’s already stamped in the boxing history books but a win over him will put me in there, too.
“I’m going in there to rip his head off just like he’s going in to do mine. He’s just another opponent to me when it comes to the ring. After the fight is over, you know, shake his hand…
“Boxing’s kind of different in that way where you’re going to see your past-hero and you’re going to have to slay him yourself.”
EXPERT TAKE
Most experts are backing Fundora – and it’s pretty easy to see why.
The bigger man’s size, pressure, and recent activity make him a tough challenge for any opponent – especially a fighter coming off a big layoff.
Veteran trainer Teddy Atlas says Fundora’s right hand will be the key to winning the fight.
“The main punch that starts and sets up everything for him is his long and relentless jab and the pressure he brings behind it to wear you down,” Atlas said.
“At times he will get close because he has a true fighter’s attitude and he will fight with you inside and can be very effective there with his uppercut and hook to the body, but he will also stand up straight as he comes in close and give you a big and clean target to catch him!”
Even so, Atlas says Fundora should “ultimately prevail”.
Former world champ Callum Smith is also tipping Fundora, pointing to his activity and recent form as key factors.
Aussie delivers ‘SCARY’ round 1 KO | 00:29
But not everyone is convinced, though.
Former Fundora opponent Brian Mendoza – who stopped him back in 2023 – is backing Thurman’s lateral movement and timing to expose gaps and pull off the upset against the champ.