Sebastian Fundora big favorite to retain the WBC super welterweight title against Keith Thurman
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Soft-spoken Sebastian Fundora acknowledged that his opponent has done more to promote their fight for the WBC super welterweight championship. And if it came down to a war of words, Keith Thurman would be the unquestioned winner. But as far as the actual bout, Fundora is a substantial favorite, listed at -375 at BetMGM Sportsbook to retain his belt.
The closest Fundora came to trash talk at Thursday's news conference was to invoke his nickname and say, “I expect The Towering Inferno to burn Las Vegas down again. ” And it came across as a forced proclamation before he quickly sat back down at the podium. Fundora, a 28-year-old who lives in Coachella, California, brings a 23-1-1 record with 15 knockouts into this matchup, his lone loss a seventh-round knockout by Brian Mendoza nearly three years ago.
Mendoza, who failed to build on that victory by losing his next two fights by unanimous decision, is on the undercard and will face Yoenis Tellez. Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs), the former unified welterweight champion, said he plans to follow “the cheat code” that Mendoza provided with that victory. “Sebastian Fundora has had some great wins in the last two years," said Thurman, a 37-year-old from the Tampa Bay area on Florida's west coast.
"He’s been evolving to become a greater champion than he was before. That’s what it’s all about. Boxing smart, learning from your mistakes and just being better.
But there’s always somebody out there who’s got your number. Always somebody, and I believe I’ve got it. ” Perhaps, but Thurman enters a fight in the rare role as the underdog.