A verbal agreement is in place for Sebastian Fundora to defend his WBC junior middleweight title against former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman on October 18 in Las Vegas. The matchup brings Fundora full circle: he became champion as Thurman’s late replacement in March 2024, edging Tim Tszyu by bloody split decision to win the WBC and WBO belts after Thurman withdrew with a biceps injury.
Watch Fundora vs. Tszyu 2 highlights: Watch
Fundora, 27, has stayed busy and emphatic since. He defended in April with a fourth-round TKO of Chordale Booker, then halted Tszyu in seven on July 19, dropping him in the first round before the Australian retired on his stool.
Thurman, 36 and ranked No. 8 by the WBC, returned in March from a three-year layoff following his 2022 win over Mario Barrios, stopping Brock Jarvis in three rounds in Sydney. His only defeat came against Manny Pacquiao in 2019. He attended Fundora–Tszyu II and immediately called for the winner—doubting the 6ft 6ins champion would box again this year—only for Fundora to insist on a third 2025 outing.
Plans call for the bout to headline a Prime Video pay-per-view.
Image Credit: PBC