Boxing’s tallest world champion Sebastian Fundora destroys Manny Pacquiao’s former foe to retain title

Sebastian Fundora emphatically defended his WBC super welterweight title against Keith Thurman in Las Vegas on Saturday.

‘The Towering Inferno’ dominated the former unified champion at MGM Grand, stopping the fight in round six with a barrage of punches to hand Thurman the first stoppage loss of his career.

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Thurman, who had previously suffered just one defeat in the ring — a split decision against Manny Pacquiao in 2019 — was left a bloody mess by the end of the fight.

The 37-year-old couldn’t avoid the constant onslaught from Fundora, who controlled the bout from start to finish.

Fundora caught Thurman with a straight left hand in the opening seconds of the Sin City clash and almost dropped his fellow American with a stern counter left in round two.

The 6ft 6ins champion continued to pound Thurman as the clock ticked on, damaging his opponent badly with a perfect combination in the fifth.

Thurman found some success, catching Fundora with a left hand in round six.

However, the latter didn’t stop, with referee Thomas Taylor stopping the fight moments later after Fundora blasted Thurman with several punishing blows.

Fundora calls for ‘Boots’ Ennis next

“I’ve been working very hard for this fight,” Fundora said after his win.

“Keith, I told him, I’ve looked up to him. He’s a Hall of Famer for sure.

“I’ll literally take my hat off. That’s why I worked so hard to prove I am the best at 154lbs.”

‘The Towering Inferno’ then named Jardon ‘Boots’ Ennis as a suitable opponent for a mega-fight in the future.

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“There are all kinds of names,” the 28-year-old from Florida concluded.

“Big names. I think 154lbs is the best division right now.”

Xander Zayas is the current WBA and WBO champion at super welterweight, while Briton Josh Kelly won the IBF version by defeating Bakhram Murtazaliev in January.

Fundora, meanwhile, won his belt after a bloody 12-round war against Tim Tszyu in March 2024.

He won the WBO version on the same night, but was stripped of it after accepting a rematch with Tszyu instead of an ordered mandatory defence against Zayas.

The American forced Tszyu to quit in the rematch 16 months later, which was his last fight to date before defeating Thurman to go 24-1-1 as a pro.

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