Fundora to defend unified junior middleweight title vs. Booker
Returns from year layoff to headline PBC on Prime Video tripleheader
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Sebastian Fundora will defend the WBC/WBO junior middleweight title for the first time when he faces Chordale Booker in the main event of a PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video tripleheader on March 22 at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, PBC announced on Tuesday.
The event (8 p.m. ET) marks the second non-pay-per-view event PBC will do on Prime Video since their deal began in early 2024.
It was Fundora who headlined the first PBC on Prime Video event last March, a pay-per-view at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He was a late replacement when he upset Tim Tszyu in a blood-soaked split decision to take his WBO belt and win the vacant WBC title.
“Sebastian ‘The Towering Inferno’ Fundora will be better than ever in his first fight as a defending unified world champion,” said promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “The whole Fundora family works so hard to be where they are and they deserve their success. Chordale Booker is a good fighter with real skills, but he won’t be able to take Sebastian’s power.”
Fundora’s younger sister, Gabriela Fundora, is the undisputed women’s flyweight champion and they are both trained by Freddy Fundora, their father.
There are also two 10-round bouts on the card: junior middleweight Jesus Ramos Jr. against Kevin Salgado in the co-feature and middleweight Elijah Garcia versus Terrell Gausha in the opening bout.
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Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs), 27, a southpaw from Coachella, California, suffered a badly broken nose early in his fight with Tszyu and has not fought since, in part because of the injury but also because he has waiting for former unified welterweight titleholder Errol Spence Jr., but he has not been ready to fight yet. So, Fundora will fight Booker and with a victory may then face Spence this summer if he is ready.
“I’m preparing really hard to defend my unified WBC and WBO world titles on March 22 in Las Vegas,” Fundora said. “Everyone can expect to see me prepared and ready to leave it all in the ring like I always do. ‘The Towering Inferno’ is back, and I’m coming to take out everyone in my way.”
Booker (23-1, 11 KOs), 33, a southpaw from of Stamford, Connecticut, has won six fights in a row since suffering a stunning first-round knockout loss to Austin “Ammo” Williams in April 2022, although that fight was at middleweight not his more natural junior middleweight.
“I’ve done everything I could to get here, and it’s a testament to what my foundation represents – going the distance,” Booker said. “I’ve gone the distance to make it to this fight. I’ve taken fights on short notice, fought for less and always kept pushing forward. Now, 15 years into my boxing journey, I’m stepping into the biggest fight of my life. This moment means everything and it’s proof that hard work and perseverance pays off.”
Ramos (22-1, 18 KOs), 23, a southpaw from Casa Grande, Arizona, will be back in action quickly after his last fight. On Feb. 1, he fought at middleweight and knocked out faded former unified junior middleweight titlist Jeison Rosario in the eighth round on the David Benavidez-David Morrell PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena.
“I’m thrilled to be stepping back into the ring on March 22,” Ramos said. “One of my main goals this year was to increase my activity and this opportunity aligns perfectly with that ambition. Kevin Salgado is a formidable fighter known for his resilience and determination, and that should make for an electrifying night of boxing. Coming off an extended training camp, my conditioning is at its peak. Now our primary focus is to develop a strategic game plan tailored to Salgado’s unique style so that we can secure the victory.”
Salgado (17-2-1, 12 KOs), 27, a Mexico native fighting out of San Antonio and the younger brother of former junior lightweight titlist Juan Carlos Salgado, has won two fights in a row by knockout since a 10-round decision loss to Garcia in 2023.
“This is an important opportunity and I’m coming to make the most of it,” Salgado said. “I have a strong opponent, but I’m going to be the best version of myself when the fight comes. I will do whatever it takes to get my hand raised.”
Garcia (16-1, 13 KOs), 21, a southpaw from Phoenix, was one of boxing’s most heavily touted prospects before losing an upset 10-round split decision in his last fight to Kyrone Davis in June.
“I’m not just ready for this fight, I’m ready to dominate,” Garcia said. “I’m excited to get back in the ring and unleash everything I’ve been working on in camp. The addition of (trainer) Bob Santos and his knowledge and wisdom that he’s shared with our team is a game changer. His expertise and guidance are going to take us to new heights and propel us to the next level. We’re not just looking to win; we’re looking to make a statement.”
Gausha (24-4-1, 12 KOs), 37, a 2012 U.S. Olympian fighting out of Encino, California, suffered his first loss, a unanimous decision, when he challenged then-WBA junior middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara in 2017.
Gausha has also lost in the other fights when he stepped up against a top opponent, decisions to Erickson Lubin in 2020, Tszyu in 2022 and, in his most recent fight in June, to Carlos Adames challenging for the WBC middleweight title.
“I’m excited to get back in the mix,” Gausha said. “I’m always working and staying ready for any opportunity. On March 22 people will know why I’ve been at this level for so long. I’m going to make a statement for sure.”
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