Sebastian Fundora Wins WBC & WBO 154-Pound World Titles

LAS VEGAS – Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora took residence a split-decision over the beforehand unbeaten Tim Tszyu to seize the WBC and WBO 154-Pound World Titles in the principle occasion of the inaugural PBC Pay-Per-View obtainable on Prime Video Saturday evening from T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas. One decide scored the struggle 116-112 for Tszyu, however was overruled by scores of 116-112 and 115-113 for Fundora.

“We’ve been praying for this second for a very long time and I’m simply completely satisfied that Tim Tszyu gave me the chance and the chance turned my dream come true,” mentioned Fundora.”

Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) seemed in management within the first two rounds, virtually touchdown straight proper palms at will earlier than working into an incidental elbow from Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) in spherical two that opened an enormous reduce on the highest of his head. After receiving an inspection from the ringside doctor, Tszyu fought on, however was clearly affected by the blood prompted from the reduce.

“I’m a throwback fighter and no matter circumstances come up, I’ll maintain going,” mentioned Tszyu. “However all credit score belongs to the person who gained tonight. These items occur. My momentum was rolling within the first two rounds after which growth, you’re blinded utterly. That is boxing, it’s a part of the game.”

Together with his opponent’s imaginative and prescient compromised, Fundora, who was coping with blood flowing out of his nostril following spherical two, targeted on utilizing his super size to persistently pepper Tszyu with jabs and additional disrupt his assault. Most of Fundora’s success with energy punches got here through the left hand, as he was capable of land clear photographs from the southpaw stance.

“I didn’t need to break my nostril as we speak, however that is my life and that is boxing,” mentioned Fundora. “I simply needed to be sensible. I used my mind. I hope you noticed me use my boxing abilities tonight.”

In line with CompuBox stats, Fundora out-jabbed Tszyu 93-39 and threw 721 punches to Tszyu’s 400. Tszyu held a formidable 44% join fee, however regardless of a 136 to 101 edge in energy punches, was by no means capable of significantly damage Fundora.

“I present up it doesn’t matter what and at all times convey the struggle,” mentioned Tszyu. “There’s no excuses. I’ll struggle whoever, every time. In order for you scrap, you recognize who to name.”

“Tszyu is a world champion for a cause,” mentioned Fundora. “It’s an honor to share the ring and make historical past with him.”

Fundora turned the second world champion in his household, following his sister Gabriela, the present IBF Flyweight World Champion, with each skilled by their father Freddy. After the struggle, high pound-for-pound contender and former unified world champion Errol Spence Jr. entered the ring to specific his curiosity in a matchup with Fundora, which the newly topped champion rapidly welcomed.

“Errol is likely one of the pound for pound greats,” mentioned Fundora. “So combating him and getting a win could be historical past for me.”

“It’s time to get it on,” mentioned Spence. “He’s bought the large canine now. It’s my first time seeing him in particular person. He’s bought good top, however we’ll break him down.”

Within the co-main occasion, Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) did his speaking within the ring as he wrestled away the WBA Tremendous Light-weight World Championship from Rolando “Rolly” Romero (15-2, 13 KOs) with an eighth spherical TKO triumph.

“I’m very completely satisfied and humbled to win this title for my household and for Mexico,” mentioned Cruz. “I used to be ready for this. I wasn’t right here to only struggle. I used to be right here to terminate him…I did my speaking proper right here within the ring. And I did this not only for me, however for everyone that’s right here at T-Cellular Area. There’s going to be a Mexican champ at 140 kilos for a very long time.”

After enduring pre-fight trash speak from Romero, it was Cruz who established his dominance early, connecting with a left hook to the highest of the pinnacle that wobbled Romero badly in spherical one. Though Romero steadied himself and valiantly survived the spherical, he was by no means capable of shake Cruz along with his personal energy.

“We gave the followers an important struggle,” mentioned Romero. “Sadly, we got here up brief. I need to thank ‘Pitbull’ Cruz and all of the followers that got here out and made this an important occasion. I’ll be again.”

Again coaching with Ismael Salas for the primary time since early in his profession, Romero was capable of present sufficient motion and ring savvy to push the struggle into the second half. He additionally tried to strategically maintain and maintain Cruz off of him, however was deducted some extent in spherical 5 for excessively holding. Regardless of these efforts, he was as soon as once more damage late in spherical seven, this time from an onslaught that started with a straight proper hand to the pinnacle.

“I fought with the intention to depart the choice out of the judges’ palms,” mentioned Cruz. “Mission completed.”

Romero once more confirmed his mettle by making it to the bell, however early in spherical eight was met with one other onslaught of energy punches from the hard-charging Cruz. This time, the barrage was sufficient to power referee Thomas Taylor to waive off the struggle 59 seconds into the spherical. Cruz’s dominance was mirrored within the punch stats as he out landed (129-85) and was extra correct (36% to 25%) than Romero.

“I’m not right here simply to be a harmful fighter,” mentioned Cruz. “I now have a title that’s backing me up. So anyone that’s obtainable, I’ll be prepared.”

The pay-per-view additionally noticed WBA Middleweight World Champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (30-3-3, 17 KOs) ship a sensational knockout over Michael Zerafa (31-5, 19 KOs) within the second spherical of the title struggle.

“I labored so arduous in coaching as a result of I do know that each one of those fighters are coming for my title,” mentioned Lara. “By staying prepared, you don’t must prepare. I’ve at all times mentioned that I solely want one or two rounds to measurement my opponent up, and I knew I had him from the very first spherical. That left hand shot was only a matter of time.”

After a really feel out first spherical, Lara discovered a house for a vicious one-two mixture punctuated by a blistering straight left that despatched Zerafa down. The primary ranked middleweight contender by the WBA, Zerafa was capable of get to his toes however was on shaky legs, which compelled referee Allen Huggins to halt the bout 2:59 into the spherical.

A two-division world champion and one among Cuba’s best boxers, Lara has adopted up an extended championship run within the 154-pound division with three straight knockouts since transferring as much as middleweight. Boxing’s outdated reigning world champion, Lara landed 18 jabs within the first two rounds to arrange the straight left that closed the present.

“I need to dedicate this struggle to the followers which have supported me all through my profession, each from Cuba and everywhere in the world as nicely,” mentioned Lara.

Opening the pay-per-view, WBC Flyweight World Champion Julio Cesar Martinez (21-3, 15 KOs) dropped the beforehand unbeaten Angelino Cordova (18-1-1, 12 KOs) twice on his strategy to a majority choice victory by scores of 114-112 twice and 113-113.

Skilled by the famend Eddy Reynoso, Martinez took an early lead within the struggle by scoring a pair of knockdowns in spherical three, each from arduous jabs that knocked Cordova off-balance and despatched him to the mat. Cordova was capable of rebound nevertheless and get again into the struggle through the use of his footwork and quantity to frustrate the champion. 

The struggle was fought largely in shut quarters, with Martinez struggling cuts close to each eyes at numerous moments within the struggle, together with a gash above his left eye that required additional inspection from the ringside physician between rounds. Whereas Cordova threw over 200 punches greater than Martinez (777-567), it was Martinez who held a decisive 33% to 25% edge in accuracy.

Heading into the ultimate two rounds, all three judges had the struggle scored 94-94. With the struggle within the stability, Martinez out-landed Cordova 18-13 in energy punches throughout the ultimate two rounds to clinch the victory.

Previous the pay-per-view, PBC on Prime Video motion was topped by a toe-to-toe battle that noticed Serhii Bohachuk (24-1, 23 KOs) take residence a unanimous choice over Brian Mendoza (22-4, 16 KOs) to win the Interim WBC Tremendous Welterweight Title. Bohachuk dominated lots of the early frames earlier than Mendoza rallied within the final third of the struggle. After a number of explosive exchanges within the closing spherical, Bohachuk took residence the choice by scores of 118-110 and 117-111 twice.

Kicking off the stay streaming presentation was teenage phenom Curmel Moton (3-0, 2 KOs) incomes a unanimous choice over the beforehand unbeaten Anthony Cuba (7-1-2, 3 KOs) after eight rounds of tremendous featherweight motion. The Mayweather Promotions’ prospect managed the bout from the outset, concentrating on the physique early to open up energy photographs to the pinnacle that helped him cruise on the scorecards, with all three judges seeing the bout 80-72 in his favor.

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Government Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and in addition a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.

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