Brian Mendoza and Sebastian Fundora have a history with each other. Mendoza is hoping they also have a future together.
Mendoza gave Fundora his only pro defeat in April 2023. Mendoza was down on the scorecards when he badly wobbled Fundora with a huge left hook early in the seventh round. A follow-up assault sent Fundora down to the canvas for the count.
Their fortunes have gone in opposite directions since.
Mendoza went on to unsuccessfully challenge Tim Tszyu for the WBO junior middleweight title, losing a unanimous decision in October 2023. Mendoza then dropped another decision, coming in as a late replacement against Serhii Bohachuk in March 2024 on the undercard of Fundora’s first win over Tszyu for the WBC and WBO titles.
The 31-year-old Mendoza spent about 15 months away before returning in early July, taking out the 12-10-2 Jesus Antonio Rojas in the fourth round. The victory brought Mendoza’s record to 23-4 (17 KOs).
“I finally got my tune-up fight in Mexico last month. So we’re back in the win column and stuff. Mission accomplished. Let’s move forward,” Mendoza said in an interview with Shawn Porter on The PorterWay Podcast. “I’m trying to get in any of these big fights. I’m still a good name for anybody to fight. I keep pushing for this Fundora fight.”
Mendoza said he was initially supposed to have an immediate rematch with Fundora but opted for the Tszyu bout instead. And since then, he feels Fundora hasn’t been in any rush to avenge the upset loss.
“I’ve kind of turned into his boogeyman. I feel like he’s scared,” Mendoza said.
But Fundora, now 23-1-1 (15 KOs), followed his initial split decision win over Tszyu with a pair of dominant defenses, stopping Chordale Booker in the fourth round this past March and then dispatching Tszyu in the seventh round of their July rematch. Fundora was stripped of the WBO belt before the Tszyu rematch but still has the WBC title. His next bout is expected to be in October against Keith Thurman.
Fundora looked particularly impressive in the sequel with Tszyu. Mendoza isn’t convinced that Fundora’s improved significantly, however.
“I see the same holes in his game,” Mendoza said. He soon added: “I honestly feel like I’ve gotten better. I’ve changed my team and everything. We’re tightening up a lot of little flaws and holes in the game. I feel like I’ll make it look even easier. But that’s not to say I’m going to make it look easy. I still know it’s going to be a fire that I have to get through. But once again, I think I’m the man to do it. I have his number.”
David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.
