Brian Mendoza KOs Sebastian Fundora in a Shocker

Once again Brian Mendoza toppled the favorite and ended Sebastian Fundora’s undefeated streak by explosive knockout to win the interim super welterweight title fight on Saturday.

The crowd was stunned.

Mendoza (22-2, 16 KOs) gained the fight with Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) by knocking out Jeison Rosario, a former world champion, several months ago and showed the fans at Dignity Health Sports Park in the LA County community of Carson it was no accident when he repeated the result with another knockout win.

On a night with most fights ending by decision, New Mexico’s Mendoza took matters in his own hands despite losing almost every round to the much taller Fundora. He never intended to win by decision.

Fundora used a steady jab from the opening round and whenever Mendoza managed to fight his way inside, numerous uppercuts were waiting for the shorter fighter. He absorbed them all.

When Mendoza fought Rosario last November, he was ahead on all scorecards because of early knockdowns scored. In this fight Mendoza found it much more difficult to score against the long arms and height of Fundora.

Mendoza never surrendered.

“I never quit,” he said. “I keep going.”

When Fundora scored with some riveting uppercuts in the sixth round, it looked like the taller fighter was about to end the fight. But instead, Mendoza jumped on Fundora early with a big overhand right.

That seemed to give Fundora Pause.

Mendoza followed up with another attack and when Fundora fired back the New Mexico fighter countered with a short, left hook that paralyzed the taller fighter and Mendoza followed up quickly with a right and left and down went Fundora. He could not beat referee Ray Corona’s count of 10.

“I predicted it in my last two fights,” said Mendoza, who was only given 10-days notice when he fought Rosario. “I’m the short notice king.”

Had Fundora won, he was set to face undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo. But now, there is another challenger on the platform.

“They can’t deny me now,” he said.

Other Results

Brandun Lee (28-0, 23 KOs) won a Mexican war against Pedro Campa (34-3-1, 23 KOs) to remain undefeated but gained valuable experience in a rough-and-tumble 10 round super lightweight fight.

No knockdowns were scored but each took their lumps with Lee able to separate himself with a jab and better defense. But Campa was in his face every single round. After 10 rounds it looked like it might even be an upset but the judges all favored Lee by scores 99-91, 98-92, 97-93.

Campa had lost his previous fight against Teofimo Lopez by knockout, but showed a more resilient chin against Lee. The Mexican fighter used a body attack to score early in the fight.

“Mexicans come to fight,” said Lee who is Mexican and Korean. “I would love another opponent like Pedro Campa.”

A battle between undefeated featherweights saw New York’s Luis Nunez (19-0) emerge the winner over Mexico’s Christian Olivo (20-1-1) by decision after 10 rounds. Though most thought the fight was close, the judges saw it otherwise at scores 100-90, 98-92, 97-93.

Gabriel Maestre (5-0-1) won by stoppage at the end of the third round over former world champion Devon Alexander (27-8-1).

Chris Arreola (39-7-1, 34 KOs) knocked out Mathew McKinney (13-7-3) in the second round of a heavyweight fight.

Lightweights Adrian Corona (9-1-2) and Jerry Perez (14-2-1) fought to a majority draw after eight rounds.

Photo credit: Al Applerose