Sebastian Fundora successfully defended his WBC super welterweight crown after defeating Keith Thurman by technical knockout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the United States.
The bout ended in the sixth round following a dominant display by Fundora, who controlled the fight from the opening bell.
Fundora imposed his pace early, applying relentless pressure and landing consistent combinations that gradually wore down Thurman.
A key turning point came as Thurman began to suffer a cut under his left eye, with blood visibly affecting his defense as the rounds progressed.
Fundora capitalized on the injury, increasing both the volume and accuracy of his punches.
At 1:17 of the sixth round, referee Thomas Taylor stepped in to halt the contest, citing concerns over Thurman’s ability to defend himself effectively.
Although Thurman remained on his feet, the accumulation of unanswered blows prompted the stoppage, awarding Fundora a TKO victory.
Following the fight, Fundora expressed respect for his opponent, describing Thurman as a high-caliber fighter with a legacy worthy of recognition.
“My respect goes out to Keith. That’s why I trained hard to prove to him and the world that I’m the best in this division,” Fundora said.
He also suggested that Thurman’s achievements could one day earn him a place in boxing’s Hall of Fame.
The victory improves Fundora’s professional record to 24 wins, including 16 by knockout, with one loss and one draw.
At 28, Fundora was making his third successful defense of the WBC title he captured in March 2024 after defeating Tim Tszyu in a closely contested bout.
Thurman questions stoppage decision
Thurman, however, voiced disagreement with the referee’s decision to stop the fight, arguing that the contest was still competitive.
He suggested that the stoppage came too early and prevented the bout from reaching its full potential.
“They don’t let fights go the way they used to,” Thurman said, referencing earlier eras of boxing.
The 37-year-old was competing in just his third fight since losing his WBA welterweight title to Manny Pacquiao in 2019.
The defeat brings Thurman’s record to 31 wins, including 23 knockouts, with two losses and one no contest.
Despite the setback, Thurman insisted he still has more to offer in the sport and remains determined to continue his career.
With this victory, Fundora further establishes himself as a leading figure in the super welterweight division.
His combination of size, reach, and relentless pressure continues to pose challenges for opponents, reinforcing his status as a champion to watch in upcoming title defenses.
