Avila Perspective, Chap 205: Sebastian Fundora and More

Number one ranked super welterweight Sebastian Fundora seeks to keep his position. He’s easy to spot at 6’6” in height.

Southern California’s Fundora (19-0-1, 13 KOs) defends the interim WBC super welterweight title against Mexico’s Carlos Ocampo (34-1, 22 KOs) on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles. Showtime will televise.

It was a mere six months ago that Fundora (pictured with his fighting sister Gabriela) battled against fellow contender Erickson Lubin and emerged the winner by knockout. It surprised many who felt he was too green, too slow and too tall.

Now the slender super welterweight southpaw seeks to convince the boxing world that he deserves a shot at the undisputed world champion Jermell Charlo who holds all the belts. First, Fundora needs to defeat Ocampo.

“I feel like I proved to the people that I’m an elite fighter. I can hang with anyone and I can stop them as well. I showed that I have what it takes to become a world champion,” said Fundora, 24, who trained in South El Monte, Calif. for this fight.

Normally, he travels back and forth between the desert area of Coachella and South El Monte. But when temperatures are regularly 110 plus degrees and the Coachella gym is outside, it made more sense to work primarily inside the comfy 80-degree locale.

“It was also a lot easier to get sparring,” said Ben Lira, the ace trainer who works Fundora’s corner. “Nobody wants to spar in the desert in those temperatures.”

Lira believes his charge has the ability to make a statement in this fight and show the boxing world he’s ready.

Mexico’s Ocampo, a veteran whose only loss came four years ago to Errol Spence Jr. at welterweight, believes he can compete with his taller super welterweight foe.

“You have to take the opportunities that you’re given. I know that Fundora is a strong fighter, but I’m going to be ready for him,” said Ocampo, 26, who lives in Ensenada and stands 5’10” in height. “I want to party with that belt on Saturday night.”

Fundora seeks to maintain his spot at the front of the super welterweight line.

“I’m going to keep sending the same message as always, and that’s saying clearly that I’m going to become a world champion at 154 pounds,” Fundora said.

Other Bouts

A rematch between IBF super flyweight titlist Argentina’s Fernando Martinez (14-0, 8 KOs) and former champion Jerwin Ancajas (33-2-2, 22 KOs) could satisfy the blood thirsty when they clash again.

Their last meeting in Las Vegas saw Martinez out-box Ancajas to take the belt away by unanimous decision. But during the last few rounds the Filipino slugger seemed to figure out the Argentine’s style and things got dicey.

Expect a great fight.

“I was not in as good of shape in our last fight. I fought toe-to-toe because my legs were cramping in the fight. Now we’ve prepared for what he does in the ring and we’ll be ready to reclaim our belt,” said Ancajas, 30, a southpaw slugger who had made nine world title defenses before losing to Martinez.

It’s Martinez first title defense.

“I’m very motivated for this fight, as much or more than the first time we fought,” Martinez, 31, said.  We’re familiar with each other now, but I’m not taking anything for granted.”

Middleweights at Dignity Health Sports Center

Middleweights Carlos Adames (21-1, 16 KOs) of the Dominican Republic and Juan Macias Montiel (23-5-2, 23 KOs) meet for the interim WBC middleweight title, which means they are battling for the number one spot on the WBC rankings. Jermall Charlo holds the title but may be moving up in weight.

Adames surprised many when he defeated Russia’s Sergiy Derevyanchenko by majority decision last year at the Staples Center in L.A. It was the first time fans saw the talent that experts had talked about.

Macias knows only one way to win and that is to knock the other guy out. He’s never heard an announcer claim he won by decision. All the Mexican’s wins have come via knockout.

England Show Canceled

Don’t bother looking for the Chris Eubank versus Conor Benn fight on the Matchroom Boxing card. It’s been canceled after Benn was detected with PEDs following a drug test.

Promoter Eddie Hearn tried to salvage the fight, but the British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction the fight. The entire card was canceled.

ProBox TV show

Tonight, former world champion Can Xu (18-3, 3 KOs) looks to return to the top but first a trial step against Mexico’s Brandon Benitez (18-2) in a featherweight main event from Tampa, Florida. ProBox TV app will stream the fight on Friday Oct. 7.

Xu lost the WBA featherweight title to Leigh Wood by knockout a year ago in England. He’s ready to return to action.

“I took this fight here on ProBox TV because of the relationship they have with China,” said Xu. “My desire is to carry the Chinese flag with pride and promote the sports in my home country. I see this as a great opportunity to show the young men and women of China all of the opportunities that come with boxing.”

According to ProBox more than 250,000 people in China applied for the app to watch Xu fight from America.

The broadcast team consists of boxing greats Roy Jones Jr., Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, Paul Malignaggi, Antonio Tarver, and ringside reporter Claudia Trejos.

It can be viewed at ProBoxTV.com and on the ProBox TV App.  Get the App HERE

The price is $1.99 a month.

Fights to watch

Fri. ProBoxTV.com  6 p.m. Can Xu (18-3) vs Brandon Benitez (18-2).

Sat. SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel 4:30 p.m. Gabriela Fundora (8-0) vs Naomi Arellano (9-1).

Sat. Showtime 7 p.m. Sebastian Fundora (19-0-1) vs Carlos Ocampo (34-1).

Photo credit: Jose Montanez / Team Fundora

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