Sebastian Fundora defended his WBC junior middleweight world title with a dominant sixth-round TKO victory over Keith Thurman on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It marked Fundora’s third successful defense.
At 6-foot-5½ with an 80-inch reach, Fundora (24-1-1, 16 KOs) used his significant size advantage to control the distance from the outset, keeping the 5-foot-9½ Thurman at bay while mixing in punishing body shots that steadily wore down the former champion. Fundora dictated the pace with his jab and volume, preventing Thurman from finding any rhythm.
Thurman (31-2, 23 KOs) started well, using his movement to try to close the distance, but he was able to land only a handful of punches and had limited success in the early rounds. He ultimately suffered the second loss of his career, and his first by stoppage.