By Francisco Salazar
Sebastian Fundora understands the first thing boxing fans notice about him is his extraordinary height. At 6’7”, he would tower even most heavyweights.
His height and reach are significant advantages, but Fundora wants boxing fans to remember him by his improving skill-set and that he does his talking in the ring.
Fundora will face Hector Zepeda in a clash of unbeaten junior middleweights tonight at the WinnaVegas Casino and Resort in Sloan, Iowa. The 10-round bout will headline a three-bout ‘ShoBox’ telecast (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).
At Thursday’s weigh-in, Fundora weighed in at 152.7 pounds. Zepeda weighed 152.2 pounds.
Fundora last fought on Feb. 16, knocking out previously-unbeaten Donnie Marshall in rounds three. It was Fundora’s second knockout win over an unbeaten fighter.
The 21-year-old Fundora, who is originally from West Palm Beach, Florida and now lives and trains in Coachella, California, has generated a buzz amongst boxing fans, not so much for his height, but more so for his punching power. Fundora has won his last four bouts by knockout.
Fundora believes he is more than just a tall fighter with punching power.
“I’ve always wanted to show that I’m a fighter with a high boxing IQ,” Fundora told BoxingScene Wednesday afternoon. “I’ll spar anyone willing to get in the ring with me. I want to show I have a great jab and I can fight at a great pace. I focus on what I have to do. I don’t skip a day of work. Boxing is a job I have to go through.”
Fundora will have a fighter in Zepeda (17-0, 4 KOs), who has faced modest opposition. Most of his bouts have taken place in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico.
In his last bout on May 18, Zepeda defeated Giovanny Gonzalez by unanimous decision over eight rounds. Zepeda may have more pro fights on his ledger, but he is the underdog going into tonight’s fight against Fundora.
Fundora acknowledges he does not know a lot about Zepeda, as he leaves the responsibility of his trainer/ father to study film of opponents. There is little video of Zepeda, which makes tonight’s fight appealing to the fight fan.
“I’ve never met the guy or know who he is,” said Fundora, who is promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz. “I’ll see what he brings to the ring Friday night. Talking is not my style. I’d rather leave my talking to my fists in the ring.”
Fundora may be young, but acknowledges there is still a lot to learn as a prizefighter. Fundora is trained by Joel Diaz, which will benefit him in the long run.
There is a lot of curiosity to see how Fundora will deal with adversity or whether he can improve his skill-set. His extraordinary body frame will continue to be the talk for the rest of his career, but Fundora believes it will not define him.
“I’m just happy and honored to get these opportunities, like fighting on Showtime. Not a lot of fighters get that opportunity. It’s a dream.”
“My Mom brought me up to not be a talker, but to be a doer. Actions speak louder than words. I’m motivated to be a world champion. I know what I have to take to get there.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
